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Dene ve ewan ane 
In the Light of Myth 


Selections from the World s Myths 
PGS) CODD CED ESO) Cio) Clo) Ge 


COMPILED AND INTERPRETED 


BY 














RANNIE B. BAKER 


Sep hs Mae ENGLISH IN THE INDIANAPOLIS 
ENAL TECHNICAL SCHOOLS 







ART SE b E-Colt.O'N BY. 


RUTH C. STEBBINS 


LLEUSTRATIONS BY 


ALEXANDER KEY 












ROW, PETERSON & COMPANY 
CHICAGO NEW YORK 





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CopyRIGHT 1925 _ 
De ‘ 


‘ROW, PETERSON & COMPA 


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BOOKSTACKS OFFICE 


To My Frienp 
MABEL GODDARD 


WHOSE INTEREST AND ENCOURAGEMENT 
HAVE MADE THIS BOOK POSSIBLE 


Great truths are portions of the soul of man, 
Great souls are portions of eternity. 


—LowELL 


FOREWORD 


To the mean person the myth means little, to the 


noble person, much. 
RUSKIN 


In the broadest definition of the term, a myth is a story 
with a meaning attached to it other than it seems to have at 
first; and the fact that it has such a meaning is generally 
marked by some of its circumstances being extraordinary. 
Only with this very liberal construction may all of the selec- 
tions included in this volume be classified as myths. A few 
have been designated as legends, but no further attempt at 
classification has been made. 

The study of the origin of myths and the tracing of their 
sources is quite beside the point in a book of this nature. 
Some interesting side lights, however, are thrown on the sub- 
ject. One of these is the striking similarity in plot and detail 
of myths from seemingly very different sources. “The under- 
ocean caves of Neptune’s waters are also not far from Alaska; 
Endymion sleeps in the moonlight of the Middle West as 
surely as on Mount Latmos; the Sirens sing in Ionian Seas 
and among the cascades of Yosemite; Edens and Mount 
Ararats are found on both continents; the mystic fires of 
Vulcan’s forge smoulder in Hawaiian volcanoes; and from 
the heights of the Hudson, Jove’s thunderbolts are hurled. 

A general knowledge of classical mythology as a key to 
the origin and meaning of many words in everyday use, and 
as an aid in the interpretation of literature and art cannot 
be overestimated. Since the literature and art of any nation 
is dependent, in a sense, on its body of legend and stored-up 
experience, it would seem a happy obligation to encourage 
the growth of the legends of our country by telling again the 
stories that have taken hold of the American imagination, 
and by stimulating an interest in the myths we already have. 

; Vil 


For comparison with the greater and more literary myths, 
a few examples of the primitive type have been included. 
Since the real meaning of any myth is that which it has at 
the noblest age of the people among whom it is current, the 
myths of a simple and ignorant race must necessarily mean 
little. Only for wise men of high vision does the moon walk 
the night, watching, defending, and loving; or the sun mount 
the sky, purging fear and evil vision, calling the world to 
new life and glad labor, and rejoicing as a strong man to 
run his course. It is hoped that, without sacrificing the 
charm of romance by undue emphasis of moral, the stories 
interpreted herein may lead the readers to see that myths deal 
with universal problems of life and destiny, and present, 
however imperfectly, things which are for all ages true; that 
the hearts of men do not change; that love, faith, and duty 
are ever supreme incentives to noble living. 

I am indebted to Bulfinch’s 4 ge of Fable and to Gayley’s 
Classic Myths in English Literature for some of the phrase- 
ology used in the stories of the first two groups. I am sin- 
cerely grateful to the American Bureau of Ethnology, and 
to the many authors and publishers whose works and copy- 
rights are acknowledged, for their courtesy and interest; to 
my brother, Harry W. Patterson, for his assistance in the 
collection of material; to my friends and co-workers of the 
Arsenal Technical High School, and especially to Miss 
Mabel Goddard, Head of the English Department, for valu- 
able help in the selection of material, for translations, and for 
criticism and correction of the completed manuscript. If 
these stories may bring to the classroom new pleasure and in- 
terest, if they may, for the high-school student, enrich im- 
agination by a moment of romance, our work shall not have 
been in vain. 


Re Bob: 


Indianapolis 
January, 1925 


Vill 


TABLE OF CONTENTS 


PART I: MytuHs or GREECE AND ROME 


PAGE 
The World Is Too Much with Us.... Wordsworth 2 
RESP Tease ak kes S-s hv igtens Signe siee! oss de 3 
RMI. ots a eis wa Gie wake wees ae 5 
Merete MND LE107s } sg Wik Ys och ioe ice wee gs 9 
Perowaricmiarcissus () anily) so. te i ee ele 14 
EOYs esis hla vilgte Flare 8 a ug «Vans 18 
(FS oct Mi 120 i aD 23 
ERR 7S) i. ea ei anlpig fais eo os ee ay) 
rmicmtnterevene. (Romance)... vec tle sie oe oe 29 
emmeandelecatis (Aspiration)... ..0s. we. hse Sy, 
eh I fn, ile wh yjntslo< avis ace 48 41 
Bavcissannebmiicmon <(iiosfitality) 0. ob acne 43 
POEMS Me TENASHIPY 2... 6 2c et Me le i ie Vk 47 
RMB ALAC END Ochs ls alsin RTE SS 50 
RTE OTTO PIN 0. es Sn yo ae Oe toe aes 56 
Be MES) 2 SPs eee ie es SE a 63 
Peeeeeomemt a 0riality) lo. ok ee ee be aes 66 
PART II: Myrus oF THE NortH 
lines (HU Robert W. Service 72 
mroneetie:(roqds (Scandinavian)... 65... 0s ee wise 73 
DSU oe i Ae 73 
TGS e IRES A g peeca ee SS ieee 76 
MNMpSCCAST Test a. eo. is he ee ee betes 78 
EIEIO SM, ote, WP sie Me sro. seMetoes ¢ 82 
DMA OK Te Mieke ite Pe iT eke ey wie Ss 85 





TABLE OF © COME aa. 


PAGE 

I> ‘The Quest of the. Hammerstein eee ’ 

II. Hymir’s Kettle” ..... ea 90 

III.: Thor ‘and Hrungnir 2 ee 92 

IV. The Journey into Jotunnheim ............ 94 
Balder and the Mistletoe (Scandinavian) ............ 100 
Beowulf (Anglo-Saxon) ....... si soul aes ee 104 
I. The Monster Grendel ).2233) 5 ee 104 

IT. Grendel’s Mother... ..) 7 eee 108 

III. The Fire-Drake . 3). 0 325.5 Ill 
The Wedding Feast (finnish) 02... 7 113 
The Ring of the Nibelungs (Norse-German)........ 118 
I. The Rhinegold ......... 32 qlee 118 

II. The Valkyrie .«........ - 2 123 

Ill. Siegfried .......... 30.5) 130 
IV. The Twilight of the Gods. 23a 135. 
Lohengrin — A Legend (German) .............44. 140 


Prince Connla of the Golden Hair — A Legend (Celtic) 147 : 


PART III: Myrus or THE ORIENT 


Sudden Light..... i; ay eae Dante Gabriel Rossetti 154 
‘The Descent’ of Ishtar (Persian) lean ee 155 
I. The Exile of Rama?..73.3 eee 3 ete ee 158 

II. The Capture of Sita. 2... 161 

ITI. ‘The Conquest of Ravana.) 77 165 

IV. Honor and:a Kingdom: . 2 167 

The Water Reeds (Hindu) ......) 2 169 
The Lotus (Egyptian) ........ 1. ee 174 
A Legend of Old Seville (Moorish). (eee 176 


The Sun and the Moon (Philippine)............... 181 
The Salt of the Ocean (Philippine). 1 eee 183 
xX ‘ 


: 
Rama and Sita (Hindu) ....2.. 2... 58 





fete KOR. CONTENTS 


PAGE 
The Adventures of Thor (Scandinavian)........... 86 
Memeetiniis or Pele (Hawaiian)... ee 185 
The Palace of the Ocean Bed (Japanese)............ 189 
Lake of the Lute and the Matchless Mountain (Japa- 
en ih a ee 195 
Mepeerivided Dragon (Chinese) ..... 6. 0c ee eee 199 
The Soul of the Great Bell (Chinese) .............. 203 
PART IV: Myrus or THE New Wortp 
mo tne Mountain Spirit............... Mary Austin 210 
mene lwo Sisters (Northwestern) ...........0.045- 211 
Memerotory of Raven (Alaskan) «2.0.0.0... cc ete ees 216 
Merrick s Horn (Northwestern) ......0..00000 00. 221 
ihe Weep Waters (Northwestern) ...........0005- 226 
The Tulameen Trail (Northwestern) ............4 229 
MICA OOUZNWESLETA) «6. ce ce 233 
mdatevel Falls (Southwestern) .........0 cece or 236 
meonaamin (Middle Western) ...... 0.6 cec ccc cece 238 
Memmvathia (Middle Western) .....0 0000. cece cease 241 
The Sky Walker of Huron (Middle Western)...... 245 
The Rabbit and the Sun (Southern)...........4.... 248 
The Bride of the Niagara (Northeastern) ........... 250 
The Great Stone Face (Northeastern) .............. 253 
The Baker’s Dozen — A Legend (Northeastern) ..... 258 
Mime lligator Tree (Mexican) ........0. 0.000 eee 261 
Meera ooth American) ......2. 05 cee eee aes 264 
The Medal and the Orchid — A Legend (South A mer- 
2 nie osha nao Mas: cha 4) se laeadet vis a < 267 
God on the Mountains (Fast and West)............ 271 
@ietie true Romance............. Rudyard Kipling 274 
MEME CUIONIALY: 5.4 0st id srs p vgs sa 'aieibere sows 275 





LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 


PART I: MytTHs oF GREECE AND ROME 


PAGE 
Meermes, Messenger of the gods.............s.-ee0- Frontispiece 
Her working gave pleasure to those who watched her........ 6 
The horses hurled the chariot over pathless places......... 10 
He was more vain than Echo, and cruel as well............ 16 
Hippomenes threw one of the golden apples............... 20 
Cupid wounded himself with his own arrow................ 32 
Seeenesiay as in the slumber of death..................... 35 
Calling in vain for help he fell headlong downward........ 38 
Her carriage was a shell drawn by two shining fishes...... 42 
Money. saw the houses sink, one by one...........0..0e0eceee 45 
Memmiiowheaved aloft the discus............0..000ccccecsecuees 48 
One stroke of the sword struck off her hideous head........ 53 
Hercules engaged in a fight with a centaur................ 61 
He dreamed of beauty and his dream came true............ 64 
He seized the helpless maiden and bore her away.......... 69 

PART II: MyrtTus oF THE NortTH 
Fairest among the palaces was Gladsheim................. 74 
Mversisgard towered the great tree of time............... 76 
There in flaming furnaces the dwarfs worked wonders...... SI 
With a shout of triumph Thor slew the bridegroom....... 88 
hor discovered a huge giant, fast asleep................. 95 
Ne’er had Grendel a foe like this........... Rea owe gic eeu tor: 106 
The father god pronounced his farewell................... 12 
On an errand of death sped the valkyries.................. 128 
He let sink his sharp blade up to the hilt................. 132 
The king assembled his nobles beneath the great oak...... 145 
meeecrvstal boat will guard thee................ceceee ec eeeee 149 
PART III: Myrus oF THE ORIENT 

Mummmmmrireied the golden deer ..............eccnseceseene 162 
They called upon Hanuman, son of the Wind God........ 164 
umnmtieo way they drank... ..........:..csseecsevcseues 171 
mummmtaiene the I’en Perfections.............ccssseeee: Ge 


XIli 


LIST (OF ILLUS DRAW. 








PAGE 
Her eyes were bent on the rim of the world................ 175 
At the Palace of the Alcazar ...(..2. icp ee 178 
The crab lived in the bottom of the sea. cs.2..708 aeeeeee 182 
By bamboo ‘bridges across the’ ocean. .¥.) 2.) ase ge eee 184 
In the bed of the ocean: ...,...< >, sum eee 192 
Call it Fuji, the Matchless Mountain. <2) 0. oo. eee 194. 
They named it Lake of the Lute.....0 220s punk 97 
The boat stranded in the. river. ..:.<...9 osc een 201 
Its tones might be heard for a hundred lis. 22.0. 12 eee 206 
To sound through all the ways of Pe-King................ 207 

PART IV: MyTuHs oF THE NEw WoORLD 

Hear a prayer for. courage... ... <0. 2.54 - ss «ee ee 212 
Man your canoes and face the North.................. Puen 214° 
Daylight shot over the world.....)5.... «ce ee 219 
One morning at sunrise ......<. 0.0050 4s « «| omen 225 
Her brothers’ arrows buried in her -flesh.......-....1.....0- 231 
White men call it El Capitan). /...2. 5. ... 0 234 
They crept upon a huge boulder >... v5.35) oe 235 
They wrestled, long .....0....05 2c. ons oe pene 239 
Hiawatha entered his stone canoe ..«./.s..21ss)05 see 243 
A white canoe carried the bride over the brink............. 251 
It seemed as if Volckert were bewitched.................... 259 
The alligator would travel and learn «.........,5 eee 262 
The gilded chieftain went aboard a raft... (4...) un ae 265 
Seekers from afar invaded these forests...) ..¥.u;seueeeeeee 269 
God stood upon their crest. +... ... «0s se «ss entissnen een 270 


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Se wi 


THE WORLD IS TOO MUCH WITH US 


The world is too much with us; late and soon, 

Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers: 

Little we see in Nature that is ours; 

We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon! 

The Sea that bares her bosom to the moon; 

The winds that will be howling at all hours, 

And are upgathered now like sleeping flowers; 

For this, for everything, we are out of tune; 

It moves us not.— Great God! I'd rather be 

A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn; 

So might I, standing on this pleasant lea, 

Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn; 

Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea; 

Or hear old Triton blow his wreathed horn. 
WILLIAM WorpsWOoRTH | 


PANDORA [Hope] 


SyMBoLs: The Charms of Woman. The Troubles 
of Mankind, 


Hope springs eternal in the human breast. 
PCPE 

Though strange it may seem, the first woman 
was created as a curse or punishment for man. Be- 
cause the world had accepted the gift of fire which 
Prometheus had stolen from heaven, Jupiter was 
enraged and planned revenge in the shape of a 
woman. At his command she was fashioned a be- 
witching evil, every god and goddess contributing 
something to her perfection. Apollo taught her 
music; Minerva, industrial art; Mercury, persuasive 
charm. Venus gave her beauty of manner; the 
Graces robed her and decked her with flowers. ‘This 
peerless creature, irresistibly attractive to man, was 
named Pandora, “the gift of all the gods.” 

Carefully guarding in her hand a box which the 
gods had forbidden her to open, she was conveyed 
to earth by Mercury and presented to Epimetheus. 
Now Epimetheus had been warned by his brother, 
Prometheus, to beware of a present from Jupiter; 
but being unable to see evil in so lovely a gift, Epi- 
metheus acceptea Pandora as his wife. 

All would have gone well had Pandora forgotten 
the mysterious box. Such a charming box it was with 
its curious exquisite design, its delicate carving, its 


[3 





IN THE? LIGHT \ 0 Ryo 


snug little lid held firmly in place by a teasing in- 
tricate knot! And did not its tempting walls in- 
close a divine forbidden secret? ‘The crafty Jupiter 
had planned wisely and well. Little by little Pan- 
dora’s curiosity grew until finally one day she could 
restrain it no longer. With stealthy deft fingers 
she unfastened the lock, lifted the lid ever so little, 
and peeped within. Forth burst a cloud of plagues 
and troubles, dark fluttering creatures that swarmed 
through the air, filling not only the home of Pandora 
and Epimetheus, but all homes everywhere! 

In consternation and haste Pandora re-covered 
the treacherous box; but alas, the evil was done! 
Woman, the inextricable snare, had brought to hap- 
less man diseases, passions, cares, and sorrows. 
But in the midst of her despair and remorse for 
what she had done, Pandora heard a gentle insistent 
voice coming from within the box and pleading for 
release. The beauty of its tone soothed the maiden’s 
anguish; she listened, enraptured, to the message. 

‘Tam Hope. I bring healing to the body, peace 
to the mind, joy to the spirit. I will stay with you 
bonevera 

Cautiously Pandora lifted the lid, and into the 
world soared Hope Eternal, a white and shining 
creature, the rarest gift of the immortals. Not with- 
out compassion had the gods sent forth the curse of 
Jupiter. Into a world darkened by sin and trouble 
came an everlasting light, “‘the light that:shone when 
Hope was born.” 


4 ] 


-ARACHNE [Pride] 
_SyMBOL: The Spider. 


He that is proud eats up ORES 

Arachne, although a maid of humble birth, had 
acquired great fame because of her skill in spinning 
and weaving. Even the nymphs deserted their vine- 
yards and the golden sands of their streams to ad- 
mire the beauty of Arachne’s workmanship. ‘The 
charm and grace of her working also gave pleasure 
to those who watched her. Whether she were soft- 
ening the fleeces, unrolling the rough wool, moving 
the smooth round spindle, or embroidering with the 
needle, it was easy to see that she had been in- 
structed by Minerva, bright goddess of wisdom and 
of household arts. This, however, the maiden de- 
nied; she could not bear to be thought a pupil even 
of a goddess. ‘‘Let Minerva try her skill with 
mine,’ she said. ‘If I am beaten, there is nothing 
I would refuse to endure.”’ 

Minerva heard the boastful challenge and was 
greatly displeased. In the form of an old woman, 
gray haired, and leaning upon a staff, she appeared 
before Arachne to give her warning and advice. 
“Challenge only your fellow mortals, bold girl! Do 
not compete with a goddess; rather give her credit 
for your teaching, and ask her forgiveness for your 
rash words.” 


[5 





IN ‘THE LIGHT (Opie 


Surrounded by the admiring nymphs, Arachne 
stopped her spinning and made disrespectful an- 
swer. ‘Indeed! Why comest thou with advice? 





HER WORKING GAVE PLEASURE TO THOSE WHO WATCHED HER 


Thou hast the misfortune to have lived too long. 
Why does Minerva decline this contest? Let her 
appear !”’ 

‘‘Lo, she is come!” said the goddess, throwing 
off her disguise. The nymphs bent low in homage; 
6 | 





WeietnoeeOr GREECE -AND ROME 





but Arachne stood undaunted, except for the deep 
blush that dyed her cheeks, and passing, left them 
pale. Still firm in her resolve, she was foolishly 
bent upon victory or upon her own destruction. The 
goddess seeing this, advised her no further, and the 
- contest proceeded without delay. 

They took their places and stretched out webs 
_of fine warp upon the loom. With garments girded, 
each bent eagerly to the work. The charmed 
nymphs stole nearer. In and out among the threads 
the slender shuttles hummed, while the moving sley, 
its fine teeth separating the warp, struck up the woof 
into its place and compacted the web. Pliant gold 
mingled with the threads, and wool of Tyrian dye 
contrasted with other colors in shading so delicate 
that transition eluded the eye. ‘The effect of the 
whole was that of a rainbow tingeing the sky. 

On her web Minerva wrought the gods of 
heaven resplendent in their lofty seats of council. As 
a warning to Arachne, the pictures showed the god- 
dess triumphing over presumptuous gods and mor- 
tals. Jupiter sat in the midst; Neptune, ruler of 
the sea, held his trident; and Minerva herself was 
depicted with helmed head, and her egis covering 
her breast. The border design was patterned after 
the goddess’ own tree, the fruitful, peaceful olive. 

Arachne, too, embroidered into her web stories 
of the gods; but she made light of them all, even of 
Jupiter himself, and exhibited only those scenes 
which recalled their failings and errors. The work, 


[7 





IN: THE CLIGH? Oyen 


marvelously done, was finished with a fine border of 
flowers interwoven with twining ivy. 3 

Minerva could not forbear to admire and 
wonder at the work of her rival, although she was 
indignant at the insult and shocked at such presump- 
tion and impiety. With her shuttle she struck the 
beautiful web that displayed the criminal acts of 
the gods, and rent it to pieces. Then thrice she 
touched the forehead of Arachne to make her feel 
her guilt and shame. 

The proud high-spirited girl could not bear the 
disgrace. She went away and sought to take her 
life by hanging herself; but Minerva, seeing her as 
she hung suspended by a rope, bore her up, and pro- 
nounced a different doom. “Live on, wicked one, 
but continue to hang, thou and all thy race!” As 
the goddess departed she sprinkled the wretched 
girl with the juice of aconite. Immediately her hair, 
touched with the noxious poison, fell off, and to- 
gether with it her nose and ears. Her head and 
body became very small; her nimble fingers cleaved 
to her sides as legs. 

Arachne, the spider, still works at a delicate in- 
tricate web, and spins from her shrunken body the 
silver thread to which she often hangs. 


A o GS eo” 


8 | 


PHAETON [Ambition] 


SYMBOLS: Deserts and Volcanoes. The Poplar 
Tree. The Swan. The Dark-skinned Races. 


I have no spur 
To prick the sides of my intent, but only 
Vaulting ambition, which o’erleaps itself 


And falls . 

The youth Phaéton, whose name, like the name 
Phoebus, means Radiant One, was proud that he was 
the son of the great Phcebus Apollo. He boasted 
so much of divine parentage that his companions 
ridiculed such arrogance and bade him show some 
proof of his origin. Phaéton, insulted, complained 
to his mother, the nymph Clymene, who told him to 
go to his father for the desired proof. Forthwith 
the boy hastened toward the Land of the East that 
he might arrive there early in the morning before 

the lark at heaven’s gate sings, 
And Pheebus ’gins arise. 

The great Palace of the Sun, made by Vulcan, 
stood reared aloft on columns and blazed with bur- 
nished gold and flaming jewels. Its doors were of 
finely wrought silver; its walls, of polished ivory; 
and over all was carved the likeness of the glorious 
heaven. Phoebus Apollo, arrayed in purple, sat on 
a throne that glittered as with diamonds. Spring, 
Summer, Autumn, and Winter attended him; on his 
right and left stood the Year, the Month, the Day, 
and the Hours. 

[9 


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meio OF GREECE AND ROME 


Into the presence of his disputed parent came 
Phaeton, thrilled with hope and pride, and dazzled 
by the splendor and intensity of the light. When 
Apollo bade him speak without fear, he made known 
his errand. The Sun God was touched by the re- 
quest and, embracing his boy, swore by the dark 
river Styx that any proof Phaéton might desire 
should be given him.- Immediately the presumptuous 
youth asked to be permitted for one day to drive the 
chariot of the sun. The father, dismayed, and re- 
penting of his rash promise and irrevocable oath, 
urged the dangers of the road and vowed the task 
was far too great for any mortal. But all in vain; 
Phaéton would not be persuaded. With the conceit 
of ignorance and inexperience he declared that a son 
of Apollo could manage his father’s matchless steeds 
and drive the flaming car of day. Apollo resisted 
as long as he could, then led the way to his lofty 
chariot— Vulcan’s handiwork in gold, silver, and 
precious stones that reflected the brightness of the 
sun. 

There was no time for further entreaty; the 
world awaited the sunrise. “The Hours harnessed 
and led forth from their lofty stalls the horses full 
fed with ambrosia. Aurora threw open the purple 
doors of the east and showed the pathway strewn 
with roses. At the coming of Dawn the stars with- 
drew, marshaled and followed by the Day Star. 
Then as the pale Moon retired and Earth began to 
glow, the impetuous Phaéton, scarce heeding his 


fil 





IN THE LIGHT Cae 





anxious father’s advice to keep the middle course 
between earth and sky, sprang eagerly into the 
chariot, seized the reins of the impatient horses, and 
was off. Before him lay the boundless plain of the 
universe. What joy to cleave the opposing clouds 
and to outrun the morning breezes that started from 
the same eastern goal! 

Far up the first steep ascent all went well. But 
the steeds soon perceived that their load was lighter 
than usual, and when they finally realized that it was 
not their master’s hand on the reins, they rushed 
headlong in frenzy and left the traveled road. ‘The 
chariot dashed about as though empty; Phaéton, 
terrified, lost his courage and dropped the reins. 
Wildly he looked about and beheld near him the 
monstrous forms of heaven, and far below, the earth 
dizzily spinning. ‘The horses, unrestrained, hurled 
the chariot over pathless places, now dashing into 
unknown regions among the stars, now plunging 
downward almost to earth. The constellations, 
scorching with heat, looked on in terror. The whole 
world seemed afire. Mountains smoked, giving up 
their snowy crowns; the sea shrank, and thrice Nep- 
tune plunged his burning face beneath its waters; 
fountains dried up; green pastures became parched 
deserts where boiling rivers buried their heads in 
yellow sands; whole nations were consumed to 
ashes; and the Ethiopians, because of the intense 
heat, turned black. 

Then Earth, cracked open and faint with horror, 
p20 





MYTHS OF GREECE AND ROME 


prayed in anguish to Jupiter to save her from de- 
struction. Jupiter, amazed, heard the prayer and 
called all the other gods to witness, as with the speed 
of his lightning, he launched a thunderbolt at the 
young charioteer. A flash, and across the sky like 
a flaming meteor, Phaéton shot earthward. His 
burning body fell into the river Eridanus, from 
whose waters his loved friend, Cycnus, rescued and 
buried the charred remains. 

In pity for his grief, the gods changed Cycnus 
into a swan who still swims mournfully about, plung- 
ing his head beneath the water and looking for 
fragments of his lost friend. Clymene, the mother, 
refused to be comforted; but the Heliades, Phaéton’s 
three sisters, who wept upon the banks of the river, 
were transformed by the gods into poplar trees and 
their teardrops into amber. ‘The remorseful Sun 
God swung his rescued chariot back to its steady 
course, never again to relinquish his trust into mortal 
hands. To this day both gods and men are aghast 
at the daring deed and the awful punishment of the 
proud, ambitious son of Apollo. 

Striving to peer through the infinite azure, 
Alternate turning to earthward and falling, 


Measuring life with Damastian measure, 
Finite, appalling! 


WeAlo\Kk : 
eae Se 


ECHO AND NARCISSUS [Vanity] 


SYMBOLS: Echoes. The Narcissus. Reflections in 
Still Water. 


Oh why should the spirit of mortal be proud? 
KNOX 


Echo, a charming nymph, was a lover of wood- 
land sports. Light and fleet as a deer, she was one 
of Diana’s favorites and deemed it a joy to follow 
the goddess of the chase. But Echo was as nimble’ 
of tongue as of foot, and foolishly fond of hearing 
her own voice. Sparkling wit and clever jest came 
trippingly from her saucy tongue; and, proud of the 
fact that none of her companions was a match for 
her, she cared not with whom she tried her skill in 
light conversation or heated argument. She could 
be impertinent, too, upon occasion, and always 
rudely insisted upon having the last word. 

One day the jealous Juno in her abode on Mount 
Olympus missed Jupiter, her husband. Now she 
knew that he loved to spend his time among the 
nymphs, and fearing that he might be enjoying him- 
self in their company, she suddenly appeared in their 
woodland haunts. Echo, in order to give her com- 
panions a chance to escape, engaged and detained 
the goddess with her lively chatter. But the haughty 
Juno soon discovered the plot and was enraged at 
the nymph’s presumption. In her fury at being thus 
outwitted she pronounced poor Echo’s doom. 


14 | 





myers Or GREECE AND ROME 


‘You are fond of hearing your own voice,” said 
the goddess. “Since you dote upon having the last 
word, so it shall be. From henceforth you shall use 
your voice for reply only, and you may always have 
the final word.” 

Now it happened that among the same haunts in 
which Echo followed the chase, there lived a beau- 
tiful youth, Narcissus, the son of a river god. He 
too was nimble and fleet of foot, and he too loved 
all woodland sports and followed the chase upon the 
mountains. He was more vain than Echo, and con- 
ceited and cruel as well. Because of his godlike 
grace and beauty he was admired and sought after 
by all the nymphs. They praised, followed, and 
entreated him; but he cruelly shunned them all. 

Poor Echo fared as did the rest. Indeed, what 
chance had she to win a proud youth? However 
much she longed to tell him her love in even the 
gentlest of whispers, she could only repeat his 
words. Narcissus was angered by her foolish rep- 
etition and mimicking voice, for the more she sought 
to put endearment into her accents, the more he 
thought he was being derided and mocked. Echo, 
despairing, fled in maidenly shame to hide herself 
in the deep woods. There she pined away in grief 
and humiliation until her form vanished and nothing 
was left of her but a monotonous echo that repeated 
the last words of the passer-by. Indistinct on the 
gentle slopes of the hills, her hollow voice rang out 
clearly on the mountains, at first loud and near, then 


[15 











IN “THE LIGH fh VO eee 


fainter and farther away, until it was lost among the 
distant cliffs and caves. 

But among the lovers of Narcissus was a nymph 
not so tender-hearted as Echo. She became angry 
with the proud scornful youth and prayed to the 
gods that he might love someone who would not 
love him in return. The avenging goddess heard 
her and devised a means of answering the prayer. 


=a 
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HE WAS MORE VAIN THAN ECHO, AND CRUEL AS WELL 


SA ) kK ( es 3 


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Ramin endl 





Narcissus was wont, when heated from the chase, to 
rest himself in shady bowers and to allay his thirst 
with the cool water of clear running streams. One 
day he stooped to drink, and as his lips touched the 
smooth glassy surface he was startled and pleased 
by his own reflection in the water. Immediately he 
fell to admiring the curve of his shoulder, the glow 
of his cheek, the brightness of his eyes and hair, 
until he was actually in love with himself! 

16 | 





ees Or GREECE AND ROME 


From that time on Narcissus no longer cared for 
the sports, but would escape from his companions to 
seek out a spot far from the chase, where, kneeling 
in deep shadow beside some shining pool, he might 
gaze in longing admiration at his beloved likeness. 
As Echo had pined away for him, so he pined away 
for himself until in his grief he died. It was said 
that even his shade, when crossing the Stygian River, 
leaned over the edge of Charon’s boat to gaze 
fondly at its ghostly image in the water. 

When he was dead the nymphs mourned for him. 
Echo, disconsolate, could only repeat their words of 
grief and lamentation. They built for him a funeral 
pyre, but when they sought his body it was nowhere 
to be found. Instead, bending over the river, close 
to the water’s edge, was a flower they had not seen 
before—a beautiful flower, white-leaved without 
and purple within. 

_ Today the traveler on mountain roads may hear 
sad Echo’s voice among far rocky cliffs, still entreat- 
ing, still replying; and should his pathway lead him 
into forest shades, he will find the lovely purple-and- 
white narcissus growing beside a quiet pool, sway- 
ing gently and bending lovingly toward its own 
clear reflection in the mirror-like surface below. 


Bt; 


ATALANTA [Strategy | 


The race is not to the swift. 
ECCLESIASTES 9: II 


The princess Atalanta was a free and fearless 
maiden. Having been warned by an oracle that 
marriage would be fatal to her happiness, she de- 
termined to live her life apart from the society of 
men and to devote herself entirely to the sports of 
the chase. In time she became noted as a runner and 
was able to excel the swiftest racers of the course. 
Always bearing in mind the warning of the oracle, 
she had but one answer for her many suitors: ‘Let 
him who would wed me, race with me. Should he 
win, I am the prize; but should he fail, death is the 
penalty.” 

Despite these hard conditions many youths who 
loved the fleet and beautiful Atalanta engaged in 
the race with her. In every case they met with de- 
feat and death, while their fair competitor was 
adorned with the victor’s crown. 

The youth Hippomenes came one day to witness 
one of these races. Several bold suitors entered the 
contest and Hippomenes condemned them for risk- 
ing so much for a wife. But as the race proceeded 
he watched it with interest, and before it was ended 
he had changed his mind. Atalanta’s speed gave 
her beauty enchantment. . As she darted forward the 
breezes seemed to give wings to her feet, a ruddy 
18 | 


MYTHS Crea kReE Ce AND) SOME 


hue tinged the brightness of her skin, her hair flew 
over her shoulders, and the fringe of her garment 
fluttered behind her. Diana herself had not more 
of grace or health or charm. Easily she outdis- 
tanced all the other runners. 

When the race was over Hippomenes ap- 
proached the victor. ‘Thou hast had easy victory 
with laggards,” he said. ‘‘Wilt thou now contend 
with me? I am of the family of Neptune, king of 
the waves, and shouldst thou conquer me, thy name 
will be yet more great and honorable.”’ 

Atalanta fixed her eyes upon Hippomenes. He 
was comely and younger than the others, and her 
heart was filled with pity. In doubt whether she 
wished to be overcome or to conquer, slowly she re- 
plied: “Even though descended from the monarch 
of the sea, art thou not dismayed by death? I am 
not of so great value that thou shouldst risk thy 
life so dear. Thou art but a boy. Seek not, I pray 
thee, an alliance darkened by prophecy and stained 


with blood.” 


The youth persisted, and, the spectators growing 
impatient, the king commanded that preparations 
be made for the race. While the course was cleared 
and the judges took their places, Atalanta reasoned 
anxiously within her heart: ‘“‘Why have I concern | 
for him when many have perished? Alas, that this 
youth, most worthy to live, must die because he has 
loved me! My victory can never support the hatred 
of the deed.” 

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HIPPOMENES THREW ONE OF THE GOLDEN APPLES 





MryTHS OF GREECE AND ROME 


During this time the young descendant of Nep- 
tune was calling upon Venus for aid: ‘‘Goddess who 
has inspired me, grant speed that I may be swift to 
win as I have been swift to love!” The breeze, not 
envious, wafted to Venus. the earnest prayer; and 

the goddess, visible to none but Hippomenes, came 

' in haste bearing in her hands three golden apples 

_ plucked from a tree in her island of Cyprus. She 
gave the shining treasure to Hippomenes and in- 
structed him in its use. 

The trumpets called the signal. Like Scythian 
arrows shot from bows, the racers darted from the 

’ starting place. Their nimble feet, skimming the 
surface of the sand, left behind them no footprints. 
One would have thought such wingéd pace could 
have carried the runners over the sea dry-shod, or 
have swept them lightly along the tips of growing 
wheat. 

The shouts of the people showed them eager for 
Hippomenes to win. Their cheering gave him glad 
courage, and Atalanta, too, heard it with joy. On 
the two sped, at first with even pace; then, as the 
youth seemed gaining, the maiden passed him. She 
soon slackened her speed, however, unwilling to 
leave him behind, and at that moment Hippomenes 
threw one of the golden apples directly ahead of him 
on the course. Atalanta, surprised, stooped to 
snatch up the bright rolling fruit, and while she did 
so, Hippomenes passed her. The amphitheater 
rang with applause. The maiden then made amends 

oT 


IN. THE (LIGHT) 7O 3 ieee 


for the delay by a swifter pace, and a second time 
left the youth behind. In the same way she was 
retarded by a second apple, and again she overtook 
Hippomenes. 

When only the last part of the race remained, 
the runners sped side by side. The goal was near. 
Hippomenes, spent and panting, breathed a prayer 
to Venus as he flung her third golden gift forward 
in an oblique direction on the course. For a moment 
Atalanta seemed in doubt, but prompted by Venus, 
she turned aside for the apple. In that moment’s 
delay she lost the race. Hippomenes had touched 
the goal. 

Joyously the victor claimed his prize and the two 
were happily wedded; but the oracle was yet to be 
fulfilled. Hippomenes in his happiness forgot to 
pay due honor to Venus either in thanks or in tribute 
of frankincense. Venus was provoked by such in- 
gratitude and caused the lovers to give offense to the 
powerful goddess Cybele, who presided over moun- 
tain fastnesses. Cybele took from Hippomenes and 
Atalanta their human forms, and changing them into 
a lion and a lioness, yoked the fleet-footed pair to 
Heracal, 


TAS o AS 6 oY 


ORPHEUS [Song | 


SyMBOLS: The Lyre Constellation. The Power of 
Music. 


If music be the food of love, play on! 
SHAKESPEARE 

The mother of Orpheus was a nymph and his 
father was Apollo, god of the sun and patron of 
music. Orpheus himself was a bard who sang of 
immortality and of the mysteries of creation. He 
was also a lyrist, the oldest and finest ever known to 
the Greeks. It was no wonder that he played with 
marvelous skill, for Apollo himself was his teacher. 
When Orpheus struck the chords of his lyre, such 
exquisite harmony came forth that men and gods 
were charmed, wild beasts were tamed, and the very 
trees and rocks were moved to listen. 

This noted lyrist was among the heroes of the 
Argonautic Expedition, and during a storm which 
they encountered he appeased the anger of the gods 
and calmed the waves with his music. Upon another 
occasion, when the sirens by their singing strove 
to charm the sailors and to wreck their boat upon 
treacherous rocks, Orpheus overcame the alluring 
strains with his melodious song and the ship passed 
in safety. Although many stories were related of 
this hero demigod, the sweetest and most beautiful 
is that of his love and grief for Eurydice, and of 
his visit to the underworld. 


[R23 





IN THE . LIGHT) Ocgp aes 


Orpheus loved the fair Eurydice and won her for 
his bride. On their wedding day, Hymen, god of 
marriage, came to bless the lovers; but his torch 
smoked, bringing tears to their eyes. his was con- 
sidered a very bad omen, and so it proved. Not 
many days later, Eurydice, when wandering with the 
nymphs, was admired and pursued by a rude shep- 
herd. Fleeing from him she stepped upon a snake, 
was bitten in the foot, and soon afterward died of 
the poisonous wound. 

Orpheus, distracted, sang his grief to all who 
would listen — beasts, men and gods. Finding his 
lament of no avail, he determined to visit the under- 
world and there seek to move Pluto to have pity 
upon him. By descending through a cave he reached 
the world of the dead and made his way through 
crowds of ghosts until he stood before the throne of 
Pluto and his sad queen, Persephone. There, to the 
accompaniment of his lyre, he poured out his sorrow 
in a beautiful song of love and petition. All Hades 
listened, charmed. The shades of the dead crowded 
close, many of them leaving their appointed tasks. 
Tantalus forgot his thirst; Ixion stopped his wheel; 
the Danaides left off their work of drawing water in 
a sieve; Sisyphus, halfway up the hill, sat entranced 
upon his rock; and even the ravenous vulture that 
tore the giant’s liver quit his murderous work to 
listen. The hearts of all were touched; sad Per- 
sephone wept afresh, and the cheeks of the Furies. 
were for the first time wet with tears. 


24 | 





“MYTHS OF GREECE AND ROME 


In the end, stern Pluto relented and. sent for 
Eurydice. Under one condition she was allowed to 
accompany her husband to the upper world: Or- 
pheus should lead the way, but he must not under 
any consideration turn back or look upon his wife un- 
‘til both had safely reached the realm of mortals. 

They started. Hades now stood aghast and 
breathless. Cerberus, the three-headed watchdog, 
held agape his triple jaws; and the shades, who had 
listened entranced to the music, now stepped aside 
to allow free passage for the two who passed on 
through the horrors of hell. On they went as in a 
dream until they reached the last dark passage that 
opened into the outer world of light and happiness. 
Then Orpheus, eager to behold Eurydice and anx- 
ious lest she had lost her way, forgot for a moment 
Pluto’s stern condition and cast one fateful glance | 
behind. Instantly his wife was gone! He reached 
out his arms to embrace her, only to clasp empty air 
and to hear her faint farewell as she was borne 
away. He sought to follow her, but Charon, stern 
ferryman of the border river Styx, refused him pas- 
sage a second time. Eurydice was gone forever! 

For seven days and nights Orpheus fasted and 
mourned on the Stygian banks. Sometimes he raved 
in bitterness at the Powers of Erebus, and again, with 
voice and lyre, he poured forth such music of regret 
and longing that great trees were moved and wild 
beasts were made gentle. At this time the Thracian 
maidens tried to win him; but Orpheus, shunning all 


[ 25 





IN -THE LIGHT VO} yi 


women, would have none of them. Angry at being 
repulsed, and drunk with wine, they sought to kill 
him. One threw her javelin, others threw rocks and 
stones; but all these missiles, when they came within 
sound of his lyre, fell harmless at his feet. The 
drunken maidens then screamed loud enough to. 
drown out his music, and falling upon him, killed 
him mercilessly. [hey tore him to pieces and cast 
his lyre into the river Hebrus, down which it floated 
murmuring sad music. The Muses gave burial to 
the fragments of his body, and over his grave the 
nightingale sang her sweetest song. 

But Orpheus’ shade passed to the realm of the 
dead to join forever his beloved Eurydice, and Or- 
pheus’ lyre was placed by Jupiter in the sky to re- 
main forever among the stars. The sad music floated 
on down the Hebrus, whose shores echoed through- 
out the world a haunting melody symbolic of all 
harmony that touches the heart of man with love, 
joy, and sorrow, and speaks to the dreamer or poet 
of “singing stars’ and “music of the spheres.” 















OLS AW p al 
WWE TIS 
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26 | 


ENDYMION [Dreams | 
‘SympBois: The Moon. The Charm of Moonlight. 


The moon doth with delight 


Look round her when the heavens are bare. 
WORDSWORTH 


Diana, the moon goddess, was sometimes called 
Pheebe, The Shining One. She was the virgin god- 
dess. The brilliant Venus, who had been enamored 

of many mortal youths, considered her pale sister 
very cold-hearted. But Diana cared not for folly 
or romance, and as happy queen of the hunt, spent 
her time with her followers in pursuit of the chase. 
At night she kept faithful watch from her station in 
the sky, shedding her beams alike over high moun- 
tains, broad seas and plains, quiet hamlets, and sleep- 
ing cities. She gilded snowy mountain peaks and 
sent out over the sea long shining paths of light that 
silvered the crested waves. On the dreams and 
hopes of man also, she cast a spell of beauty —“‘o’er 
the tired spirit pouring sweet balm.” 

One clear summer night when not even a film of 
light cloud was stirred by the breeze, Diana, calm 
and free, looked down from mid-heaven. She could 
see, far below her, the wnite flocks that fed on the 
grassy slopes of Mount Latmos, and near them the 
beautiful shepherd boy, Endymion, who lay sleeping 
in the moonlight. His beauty was enhanced by the 
witchery of the night, and the cold heart of the god- 


ey, 





IN THE ,. LIGHT WOR 


dess was stirred. Noiselessly she slipped from her 
sphere and. dropped to the mountain side. 
Endymion lay in dreamless sleep, grace and 
youth in his body’s repose, health and peace upon 
his features. The mantle had fallen away from his 
shoulder and the shepherd’s staft lay idly against the 
arm that pillowed his head. Diana, moved by his 
innocence and beauty, leaned over and kissed him 
gently. A goddess was in love with a shepherd! 
She tried to keep her love a secret, and night 
after night would glide stealthily from her high 
place to visit her lowly lover. But even though she 
always returned to complete her vigil, and appeared 
each morning as usual, pale and weary from watch- 
ing, the secret was somehow revealed. The gods 
and goddesses of Olympus had noted her frequent 
absences from the sky and had discovered the cause. 
When Jupiter learned of Diana’s lover, he 
granted to the honored shepherd boy a wonderful 
gift—the gift of perpetual youth and perpetual 
sleep. So, free from all care and worry of active 
_ life, the youth still sleeps in his enchanted cave on 
Mount Latmos; and the moon.throws her beams 
upon him tenderly, and cares for his flocks by night. 
Thus ended the moonlight romance of the hunt- 
ress queen, whose sleeping Endymion, with all other 
youthful lovers, dreams happily on under the magic 
spell and the charméd light of 


That orbéd maiden with white fire laden, 
Whom mortals call the Moon. 


28 | 





| CUPID AND PSYCHE [Romance] 


{ 
| 


SYMBOLS: Youth and Love. 





Beyond its own sweet will! 
| WHITTIER 


| But love has never known a law 
| 


In a certain city lived a king and queen whose 
three daughters were exceeding fair. Psyche, the 
youngest, was so lovely that the people found her 
worthy of homage due. Venus herself. When the 
proud goddess found her sacred altars neglected for 
the exaltation of a mortal, her anger was aroused. 
She called hither her winged son, Cupid, and point- 
ing out Psyche to him, said, “Give thy mother a full 
revenge. Let this maid become the slave of an un- 
worthy love.” Cupid, ready to obey the commands 
of his mother, hastened to the chamber of Psyche, 
whom he found sleeping. ‘The sight of her almost 
moved him to pity, but he touched her with the point 
of his arrow. At the touch she awoke and opened 
her eyes wide upon Cupid. Alas for the plans of 
Venus! The love god, although invisible to the eye 
of the maiden, was so startled that he wounded him- 
self with his own arrow. 

From that time Psyche, frowned upon by Venus, 
derived no benefit from her charms. Her sisters, 
less fair than she, were happily wedded, while she 
sat at home alone, hating within her heart the beauty 
in which all others delighted. Her parents, fearing 


[ 29 








IN .THE ULIGH Ty Oe 


that the gods were angry, inquired of the oracle of 
Apollo, who answered them thus: ‘Thy daughter’s 
husband awaits her on the top of yon mountain. She 
is destined to be the bride of no mortal lover, but 
of one whom neither gods nor men can resist.” 

Psyche, undismayed, requested that the wedding 
preparations be made. Silent and with firm step, the 
royal maid took her place in the procession which 
proceeded to the appointed place on the mountain, 
where she was left alone. Then came the gentle 
Zephyrus to the trembling bride upon the mountain 
top. He lifted her gently, bore her by his own soft 
breathing over the windings of the hills, and set her 
down among the flowers in the valley below. ‘There 
upon a grassy bed she rested from her fear, and 
arose in peace. And lo! Before her stood a grove 
of stately trees with a fount of water clear as glass, 
and hard by a palace not built by human hands! 
Golden pillars supported the arched roof; walls of 
wrought silver and pavement of precious stones re- 
flected their own daylight. Nor had it any need of 
sun, this goodly place, well fashioned as a dwelling 
where gods might speak with men. 

Unafraid, Psyche stood in the doorway and ad- 
mired the beautiful things she saw. No lock nor 
chain nor living guardian protected the treasure; but 
as she gazed, there came a voice that said, ‘‘Mis- 
tress, all these things are thine, and we are thy 
servants. Lie down and rest, and rise for the bath 
when thou wilt. A feast also shall be ready.” 


30 | 





MYTHS OF GREECE AND ROME 


After repose and the refreshment of the bath, 
Psyche sat down to the feast of delicate foods with 
wines of nectar served by invisible hands. Later, a 
choir of sweet voices sang for her, and unseen fingers 
struck the chords of an invisible harp. 

For a long time Psyche did not see her husband; 
he came in the hours of darkness and fled before the 
dawn. In vain she sought to detain him. He an- 
swered her entreaties with gentle accents: “All I ask 
of thee is love. I had rather thou shouldst love me 
-as an equal than adore me as a god.” But when 
Psyche, in pity for her sorrowing parents, requested 
that her sisters be allowed to come to see her, he 
gave his consent, though unwilling. ‘The obedient 
Zephyrus carried the sisters over the mountain and 
down to the enchanted valley. Happy indeed was 
the meeting, but as Psyche displayed the treasures of 
her golden house, envy and malice arose in the hearts 
of her visitors. They forced Psyche to confess that | 
she had never seen her husband, and then darkly 
hinted that he might be some terrible monster. Be- 
fore departing for their own homes, they had filled 
their younger sister’s heart with evil suspicion and 
foreboding. 

When night came, Psyche, tortured with doubt, 
had provided herself with a lamp and a sharp knife. 
She awaited the sound of deep-breathed slumber, 
then arose silently, uncovered her lamp, and leaned 
over the couch of her sleeping lover. Lo! Before 
her lay Love himself, his spotless pinions still fresh 


[ 31 





IN: THE °“LIGH Tea O ioe 


with dew, his curls in tangled gold upon the pillow! 
Divine he was in beauty, and, touched with light, 
worthy of Venus, his mother. Trembling with fear, 
love, and guilt, Psyche turned to quench her lamp; 
but as she did so, the treacherous flame cast a drop 
of burning oil on the fair shoulder of Cupid. 


MAG yN\ 


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CUPID WOUNDED HIMSELF WITH HIS OWN ARROW 


Startled, the god arose, seized his bow and quiver, 
spread his white wings, and flew out of the open 
window. Psyche endeavored to follow, but fell to 
the earth; and Cupid, beholding her in the dust, hov- 
ered near to speak his sorrow and reproach: “‘I leave 
thee forever. Love cannot dwell with Suspicion.” 
Then he winged his way into the deep sky. 


32 | 





MYTHS OF GREECE! ANDY ROME 


Weak and prostrate, Psyche lamented. She arose 
to find that the palace and gardens had vanished. 
Determined to take her life, she threw herself into a 
river; but the stream was gentle in pity and cast her 
forth again, unhurt, upon its margin. Then she 
went her way to wander day and night in many 
lands, seeking for Cupid. 

Meantime the wounded Cupid was lying, sick at 
heart, in his mother’s chamber. It was the white 
sea gull that took the news of his illness to Venus, 
who was absent upon her own aftairs in her bower 
beneath the sea. Angrily'the goddess spoke: “It is 
Psyche whom he loves, she who witched away my 
beauty and was the rival of my godhead.”’.. Return- 
ing to her golden chamber, she there found the lad 
sick. Most bitterly she berated him for trampling 
her precepts, and threatened to pluck forth his locks, 
to shear away his wings, and to unstring his bow. 
Then she departed in anger to seek and destroy the 
despised daughter-in-law. But the goddesses, Juno 
and Ceres, met Venus, and inquiring the cause of 
her wrath, declared that her son had committed no 
evil and restrained her from harming the one whom 
he loved. 

Soon after this, Psyche, in her wanderings, 
reached the temple of Ceres and won the favor of 
that goddess, who counseled her to seek the forgive- 
ness of Venus. To the temple of Venus Psyche then 
made her way, and there entered into service. She 
was received with angry taunts, and set at many 


[ 33 


IN THE “LIGHT 7Oey eee 


menial and difficult tasks. ‘‘Only by dint of industry 
can you merit a lover,” said the goddess; and she 
sent Psyche to the storehouse of the temple to sep- 
arate, grain by grain, a heap of every kind of seed. 
But Cupid sent an army of ants to do the work for 
her. Next, she was sent to gather wool from 
each of the shining golden sheep that fed on the 
farther bank of the river. Acting upon the ad- 
vice of the river god, who told her to wait until the 
noonday sun had driven the flock to the shade of the 
trees, Psyche crossed the stream and easily gathered 
the fleece that clung to the leaves of the bushes. 
Then Venus imposed a harder task. ‘Take this tiny 
casket to Proserpine,’ she said. ~Jell her that 
Venus would have some of her beauty, for in tend- 
ance on the sick bed of her son, she hath lost some 
of her own.” 

Psyche gave up in despair. -She climbed a high 
tower and sought to take her life by casting herself 
from its summit. But a voice from the tower gave 
her directions to avoid the perils of the road, and 
bade her go quickly to Hades. Forthwith she trav- 
eled to the kingdom of Pluto, obtained the precious 
beauty, passed Cerberus safely, and, rowed by Cha- 
ron across the black river, came again into the light 
of day. Then suddenly she was seized with a rash 
curiosity. ‘“‘Why,” she said to herself, “should I 
not touch myself with a particle of this divine love- 
liness, that I may the better please my beloved?” As 
she spoke she lifted the lid. There was nothing 


34 | 


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PSYCHE LAY AS IN THE SLUMBER OF DEATH 


IN THE LIGHT) 40 


within save sleep, which took hold upon her, so that 
she lay as in the slumber of death. 

Then it was that Cupid, cured of his wound, and 
unable longer to endure the absence of the one that 
he loved, glided through the narrow window of his 
chamber and flew swiftly to Psyche. He shook the 
sleep from her, and fastened it within its tiny casket 
prison. With a kiss he awakened her. “Lo,” said 
he, ‘“‘thine old error again! But hasten to finish the 
command of my mother! The rest shall be my 
Carew 

With these words, Cupid spread his bright 
pinions, and, urged by the greatness of his love, pen- 
etrated the heights of heaven to lay his cause before 
the father of the gods. Jupiter kissed the boy 
Cupid, and bade Mercury call the gods together. 
There in his council chamber, seated upon the high 
throne of Olympus, the King of the Immortals 
pleaded the cause of the lovers. Mercury was dis- 
patched in haste to bring Psyche to the abode of 
the gods, and when the maiden arrived, Jupiter him- 
self offered to her the ambrosial cup. ‘Drink this,” 
he said, ‘‘and live forever; nor shall Cupid ever de- 
part from thee.” And the gods sat down together 
to the marriage feast. Ganymede and Bacchus bore 
the wine, while the Seasons crimsoned all things with 
their roses. Apollo sang to the lyre; Pan played on 
his reeds; and even Venus danced sweetly to the soft 
music. Thus, with due rites, was solemnized the 
wedding of the Immortals. 


36 | 


DA DALUS AND ICARUS [Asperation | 


Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, 
Or what’s a heaven for? 
BROWNING 


Dedalus, a skilful artificer, had long been in 
favor with King Minos of Crete. It was he who 
built for that king the famous labyrinth with its 
numberless windings, passages, and turnings through 
which no mortal could find his way. But Dedalus 
was so proud of his achievements that he became 
jealous of any rival to the extent that he attempted 
to murder one of his own pupils who showed him- 
self apt in the art of mechanics. In the end he com- 
pletely lost the favor of the king, and, with his little 
son, Icarus, was imprisoned in a tower by the sea. 
In the meantime, abhorring Crete and his cap- 
tivity there, he managed to escape from the tower, 
but dared not leave the island as the king’s soldiers 
kept watch on all the outbound vessels. In a shel- 
tered spot by the island’s edge the captives waited 
and watched. The ceaseless incoming rush of the 
surf that spent its idle force upon the unresisting 
shore rock, reminded Dedalus of his own helpless- 
ness against a hard fate, and of the unmerited pun- 
ishment it had brought upon the boy whom he loved. 
Wearily he lifted his eyes above the waves’ monoto- 
nous roll to follow a sea gull’s easy flight. At 
that moment his thoughts turned suddenly to arts 
unknown. In eager words aflame with hope and de- 


[ 37 





IN THE LIGHT (O33 ele 


sire for freedom, he spoke to the listening child: 
‘King Minos may control the land and sea; the skies 
at least are open. By that way we will go.” 
Without delay the skilful artist gathered a store 
of feathers great and small, and set to work to 
fashion wings for himself and his son. He ranged 





CALLING IN VAIN FOR HELP HE FELL HEADLONG DOWNWARD 


the feathers in order from the least to the greatest, 
securing the larger ones with thread and the smaller 
with wax, and bending the whole with a gentle curva- 
ture to imitate the wing of a bird. The boy Icarus, 
innocent of the coming dangerous adventure, looked 
on with smiling face at the wondrous work of his 
father, and smoothed the feathers that the shifting 


38 | 


erties OF GREECE AND ROME 


breeze would ruffle, or playfully softened the yellow 
wax with his little thumb. _ 

| When the finishing touch was put to the work, 
Dedalus poised his own body on two of the wings, 
and found himself buoyed upward until he was hang- 
ing suspended in the beaten air. Then he equipped 
Icarus in like manner, at the same time instructing 
him in the rules of flying. But the hands of the 
father trembled as he fastened the untried wings to 
the shoulders of the boy, and amid his work and his 
admonitions the old man’s cheeks were wet with 
tears. “‘My son,” he said, “under my guidance take 
thy way. If thou goest too low, the fogs of earth 
will clog thy wings; if too high, the fire of the sun 
will scorch them. I charge thee, keep the middle 
track.” . 

All was at last ready. Dedalus raised himself 
slowly upon his wings, and as a mother bird tempts 
her fledgling from the lofty nest, he urged Icarus to 
follow, and ever from his own flight looked anx- 
iously back. The shepherd leaning on his crook, 
and the plowman on his plow handle, gazed aston- 
ished at the sight and believed that two gods were 
thus cleaving the air. 

Samos was left behind and the winged travelers 
had passed Delos and Paros on the right, when 
Icarus, exulting in his career, began to be pleased 
with a bolder flight. Undaunted by the limitless 
heights, the boy forsook his father’s guidance. On 
upward he soared, touched with desire to reach 


[ 39 





IN , THE LIGHT Wage eee 


heaven itself. Alas! The blazing sun melted the 
fragrant wax that held his wings; and the unfaithful 
feathers, their waxen fastening softened, floated 
downward one by one. Icarus waved his naked 
arms, but they lacked their oarlike wings and caught 
no more in air. Calling in vain to his father for 
help, he fell headlong downward to be submerged 
in the depths of the Icarian Sea, whose azure waters 
still bear his name. 

And sorrowing Nereids decked his watery grave; 

O’er his pale corse their pearly seaflowers shed, 

And strewed with crimson moss his marble bed; 


Struck in their coral towers the passing bell, 
And wide in ocean tolled his echoing knell. 


The unhappy Dedalus beheld the scattered 
plumage of Icarus on the waves. Bitterly lamenting 
his loss, and cursing his own arts, he buried his son 
in a tomb on the nearest island and named the land 
Icaria. Still sorrowing, he continued his flight 
toward the island of Sicily, which he finally reached 
in safety and there built a temple to Apollo. As an 
offering to the gods he hung up his wings within the 
temple. Little did he dream that other artificers 
would prove his new and fateful art in a later happy 
age, when to mortals would be given the rule of the 
kingdom of the air! 


home: ‘Ge e : 


40 | 


CLYTIE | Longzng | 


SYMBOL: The Sunflower. 


The desire of the moth for the star, 
Of the night for the morrow, 
A devotion to something afar 


From the sphere of our sorrow. 
SHELLEY 


Clytié, a water nymph of frank face, bright eyes, 
and golden hair, lived in a beautiful ocean cave. 
Every desire of her heart was satisfied by the bounty 
of the sea. Her dress was of gossamer sea-green 
silk, her jewels were white pearls and red corals, 
and her carriage was an iridescent shell drawn by 
two shining fishes. Clytié was happy among her 
sister nymphs until she fell in love with Phcebus 
Apollo. 

At first she had had no thought of the Sun but 
to enjoy his light as it sparkled on the water ripples 
or chased jeaf shadows over cool green banks, and 
she would often laugh with delight at his rainbow 
arch in the mist of the waterfall or the spray above 
surf-splashed rock. But in time she came to wonder 
at the source of all this light and warmth and life. 
Seated upon the yellow sand by the sea, she watched 
the glittering chariot as it raced across the sky, until, 
for her, all beauty and mystery lay beyond the fleecy 
clouds. Her carefree life in a cool and beautiful 
ocean home was ended, for the foolish simple maid- 
en had set her heart upon Apollo himself, while he, 
the distant radiant Sun God, took no note of her. 


[41 








‘IN THE LIGHT 3Ot eit 


In vain, and with no thought of food, or friends, 
or play, Clytié. sat in tears, alone, her face turned 
toward the sun. All day, from the first pale gleam 
on the morning horizon, on through the bright white 
heat of the noon, to the last golden light of the 
evening, her eyes followed him, worshipping his 


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brightness, his speed, and his splendor. At length, 
after nine long days of her fruitless pining, the Fates 
took pity on poor Clytié and changed her into a sun- 
flower. 

Now from stately stalk and crowned with rich 
soft petals of gold, she turns a glowing face ever 
sunward toward the light of the one that she loves. 


42 | 





BAUCIS AND PHILEMON 
| Hospetalety | 
SyMBoLs: The Oak and the Linden. 


Let me live in a house by the side of the road 
And be a friend to man. 


Once upon a time, in a lowly thatched cottage 
‘of a wayside village, there lived two kindly old 
people: Baucis, the wife, and Philemon, the hus- 
band. ‘They had grown old together, happy in spite 
of their poverty, for they were rich in the spirit of 
gratitude to the gods, love for each other, and 
friendliness toward man. 

Now it chanced one day that Jupiter and Mer- 
cury, disguised as dusty travelers, passed through 
the village. Weary, hungry, and thirsty, they pre- 
sented themselves at the different homes in quest of 
food and lodging, but it was late and no one rose 
to open a door or to invite them in. At last the 
travelers stopped at the humble home of Baucis and 
Philemon. 

With friendly greeting and kind words of wel- 
come, the old couple received the strangers and 
immediately set about to do all things possible for 
their comfort and welfare. Philemon, after bring- 
ing fresh water in beechen bowls that the guests 
might wash, kindled a fire on the hearth with live 
coals raked up from the ashes. Over the flame a 


[ 43 





IN THE LIGHT Oi 


kettle was hung, and very soon the odor of a savory 
stew filled the room. 

Meanwhile, anxiously, and with hands that 
trembled, kind old Baucis rubbed the rough surface 
of the rude wooden table with sweet-smelling herbs. 
Then making it level by putting a piece of slate 
under the leg that was too short, she covered it all 
over with a clean coarse cloth. On the table beside 
the steaming stew she placed baked eggs hot from 
the ashes, fresh radishes from the garden, olives, 
cheese, ripe apples, and fragrant honey. There was 
wine, too, neither rich nor old, filling to the brim 
a huge earthen pitcher. No apology was made for 
the simple food, the crude dishes of wood, or the 
homespun linen. All these went unnoticed, for in 
the pleasant conversation that accompanied the pre- 
paring and eating of the repast, was the spirit of 
contentment, good cheer, and genuine welcome. 

During the meal a strange thing happened. The 
guests, thirsty from travel, passed their glasses 
again and again to have them refilled. Gladly the 
generous host and hostess poured the-wine, but to 
their surprise and alarm the heavy pitcher remained 
brimming full. The wine was renewing itself! 
They could not believe their eyes. Was it possible 
that the stranger guests were gods whom they had 
been entertaining unawares? Suddenly they realized 
the truth, and, humbled and frightened, fell on their 
knees before Jupiter and Mercury, begging forgive- 
ness for the frugal meal. Then they hastened to 


44 ] 





Sees OF GREECE AND ROME 


the garden to catch a pet goose long treasured as 
guardian of their home, for they were now eager 
to offer it as a sacrifice to their heavenly guests. But 
the wily old goose seemed to understand their pur- 
pose and took refuge between the two gods. 





THEY SAW THE HOUSES SINK, ONE BY ONE 


Jupiter and Mercury then appeared in their own 
guise. ‘In vain,’ said Jupiter, ‘“‘we sought enter- 
tainment in all the other homes of your inhospitable 
village. Your door alone was open to us. Come 
now to the top of yonder hill and receive your 
reward.” 

Breathless with surprise, the old couple followed 
the gods to the top of the hill. There, looking 
down upon the village in the late evening light, they 
saw the houses slowly sink, one by one, until all 
were lost in a deep quiet lake. Upon the shore of 


[ 45 





IN THE LIGHT yOu eee 


this lake their own little cottage stood alone. But 
even as they looked it changed in appearance: The 
thatched roof turned to burnished gold; the dingy 
walls took on a marble whiteness. Before them 
stood a temple, its gilded roof supported by graceful 
columns. ‘Then Jupiter blessed the worthy pair and 
promised to grant any wish they chose to maké. 
Philemon, after brief conference with Baucis, made 
known their desire. 

“Grant, O Jupiter, that we may be priests and 
guardians in this thy new temple; and, when our 
service is ended, that we may die on one and the 
same day.” 

The petition was granted. Still content with 
blessings and happy in service, Baucis and Philemon 
lived to a ripe old age. They cared for the temple, 
keeping it sacred to Jupiter and open at all times to 
wayfarers who desired to worship there. Then one 
day as they stood before the entrance, each saw the 
other. begin to put forth leaves; and they bade each 
other a last farewell as the bark closed over them. 
In their places stood an oak tree and a linden tree 
like sentinels before the temple. Thus did Jupiter 
remember his promise to those whose humble gifts 
had been enriched by their spirit of giving, whose 
hospitality had come from the heart. 

Beside many a weary dusty road the stalwart 
oak and the graceful linden extend leafy branches 
of welcome to the passer-by, inviting him to stay 
awhile in their restful, friendly shade. 


46 | 


HYACINTHUS [| Freendship | 


SYMBOL: The Hyacinth. 


It’s ill to loose the bands that God decreed to bind; 
Still will we be the children of the heather and the wind. 


Pheebus Apollo, god of the sun, loved a beautiful 
youth named Hyacinthus. As friends and com- 
-panions the two would often go hunting together, 
and through happy hours of intimacy their love for 
each other grew. The god deemed it not beneath 
his dignity to hold the hunting dogs or carry the fish- 
ing nets for Hyacinthus, and, neglecting his lyre and 
his silver bow, would follow his mortal playmate for 
hours over the ridges of the rugged mountains. 

One bright windy midday, the two friends, tired 
of hunting, stripped off their outer garments and 
engaged in a game of quoits. First Apollo, with 
graceful strength and skill, heaved aloft the discus, 
well poised against the breeze. As the heavy circlet 
shot high and far, cleaving the air with its weight, 
Hyacinthus, eager for his throw, ran swiftly to- 
ward the goal. Now some believe that Zephyrus, 
the West Wind, who was jealous of Apollo’s love 
for the lad, blew the quoit out of its course; but no 
one can say. Whatever the ill-starred cause, the 
iron weight rebounded from the hard ground and 
struck young Hyacinthus fair in the forehead. The 
boy fainted and fell. Apollo ran to him, and, pale 


[ 47 


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AS) of 





APOLLO HEAVED ALOFT THE DISCUS 


eet OF GREECE AND ROME 


as the youth himself, lifted him up and attempted 
to stanch the wound; but the fleeting stream of life- 
blood could not be stopped. As broken violets or 
lilies clinging to their stalks hang down their languid 
heads toward earth, so the boy let fall his beautiful 
head, as if a burden for his neck, limp upon his 
shoulder. Phabus Apollo, holding up the sinking 
limbs of his dying friend, poured forth his bitter 
lament: 
“Thou diest, O my Hyacinthus, robbed of thy 
youth by me. Ah, that I might die for thee! Thine 
is the suffering, mine, the crime; for with death is 
my hand to be charged. Alas, what evil have I 
done? Could it be wrong to have engaged in a 
sport, or fault indeed to have loved thee? But in 
memory thou shalt not die, O Hyacinthus! My lyre 
shall celebrate thee, and with my songs shall I tell 
thy sad fate.” | 
As Apollo spoke, the blood which had poured 
upon the ground and stained the grass, ceased to be 
blood, and in its place a flower sprang up that re- 
sembled a lily whose silver leaves had been dyed in 
rich Tyrian purple. Upon the purple-stained petals 
of this flower the god inscribed the mournful char- 
acters, AJ, AI, the words of woe in his own lament. 
With each returning spring, in memory of the 
love of the sun god for his friend, the hyacinth ap- 
pears, its fair blossoms reminding the people of 
earth that a beautiful love outlives grief and death, 
making true friendship immortal. 


[ 49 


PERSEUS [Courage | 


SYMBOLS: Star Constellations. 


Courage —an independent spark from Heaven's bright throne, 
By which the soul stands raised, triumphant, high, alone. 


FARQUHA! 

Perseus, a demigod, son of Jupiter, had many 
thrilling adventures, all of which he met in the spirii 
of a soldier and hero. The excitement in his life 
began when he was very young. His grandfather 
King Acrisius, had been told by an oracle that hi: 
daughter’s child would be the cause of his death 
Accordingly the alarmed old king boxed up his 
daughter, Danaé, with her golden-haired infant son. 
Perseus, and set them adrift at sea. The two floated 
to the country of Seriphus, where they were rescued 
by a fisherman who took them to Polydectes, the 
king of that land. It was Polydectes who later sent 
the young man Perseus on his first adventure, the 
conquest of Medusa. 

Medusa was one of the Gorgons, terrible mon- 
sters with teeth like swine, brazen claws, and 
snaky locks. Indeed, Medusa was so horrible to 
look upon that any living thing which beheld her was 
immediately turned to stone. All about her cavern 
were stony images of unfortunate men and beasts, 
that, chancing to look upon her, had been petrified 
on the spot. It was for the head of this monster that 
Perseus was sent. 


50 | 





See EF 6GREECE AND: ROME 








The gods who had carefully watched over Per- 
seus as he grew to manhood now came to his aid. 
Pluto lent his famous helmet which could make its 
wearer invisible; Mercury helped him obtain a 
curved sword and a magic wallet, and attached his 
own winged sandals to the hero’s heels; Minerva 
armed him with her bright mirror-like egis or 
shield. Thus equipped, Perseus flew northward to 
the dark misty land of the Gree who were the only 
living beings that knew where the Gorgons dwelt. 
These three dreary old crones lived in a cave and 
possessed but one eye and one tooth which they 
handed about and used in turn. Perseus entered 
their cave, snatched the eye as they were passing it 
from one to the other, and refused to restore it until 
they would give him directions for finding Medusa. 
Having obtained this information, he returned the 
indispensable eye and sped on his way. 

In the hall of the Gorgons the wretch Medusa 
lay sleeping. Perseus, by virtue of his helmet in- 
visible, entered stealthily and approached her cau- 
tiously. With his eyes steadily fixed upon the reflec- 
tion in Minerva’s bright shield, he dealt one swift 
sure stroke with the curved sword that struck off her 
hideous head. This, with its writhing serpent locks 
he placed securely within the magic wallet and with 
it made a safe escape. Later, from the body of the 
slain Medusa sprang Pegasus, a winged horse of 
great fame. 

As the hero flew toward Seriphus with his snaky 


[ 51 


IN THE ClLGH SE #Oeeer 








trophy he met another adventure. Out on the west- 
ern horizon where earth and sky meet, he came to 
the realm of Atlas in the land of the setting sun. 
Atlas, a giant much larger than any other living man, 
_was very rich; for besides pastures, flocks, and herds 
he owned the beautiful garden of Hesperides, where 
golden apples hung heavy from boughs of golden 
trees. Having no rich neighbors for rivals, the giant 
was overproud of his possessions. Furthermore, he 
had been warned by a prophecy that a son of Jove 
would some day steal the golden apples. Naturally, 
then, when Perseus arrived, announcing himself 
guest, Gorgon-slayer, and son of Jupiter, Atlas re- 
fused him hospitality. Stung by such insult, Per- 
seus drew forth and held aloft the fatal head. In- 
stantly the proud old giant turned to stone. His 
massive bulk increased to mountain size; his bones 
became rocks; his hair and beard, forests; his head, 
a summit. The whole world was upheld by his 
towering strength, and upon his mighty shoulders 
rested heaven, too, with its hosts of stars. All this 
the gods decreed. 

Perseus then continued on his way until he came 
to the country of Ethiopia, where he met his greatest 
adventure and received his greatest reward. Ethi- 
opia was ruled by King Cepheus and his queen Cas- 
siope. ‘The latter had offended the sea nymphs by 
declaring her beauty equal to theirs. To appease the 
anger of the nymphs and to punish Cassiope for her 
presumption, Neptune had sent a terrible sea mon- 


52 | 


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ONE STROKE OF THE SWORD STRUCK OFF HER HIDEOUS HEAD 





IN THE LIGHT 30 lier 


ster to ravage all the land. King Cepheus consulted 
an oracle, and was told that if he would save his 
country from devastation he must sacrifice his daugh- 
ter Andromeda to the ravenous jaws of the sea 
monster. 

Perseus arrived to find the beautiful Andromeda 
lashed to a great rock by the seashore awaiting her 
slayer. Prompted by pity and love, he obtained per- 
mission to be her deliverer, unsheathed his’ sword, 
and made ready for the enemy that had already an- 
nounced its coming by a deafening roar from the 
sea. It was a terrible fight. The beast spouted 
blood and water and lashed the sea into foam, while 
Perseus swooped downward again and again to 
plunge his sword wherever he could find passage 
among the iron scales. 


. . Long the conflict raged, 
Till all the ee were red with blood and slime. 


At last Perseus, with wings drenched and heavy, 
alighted on a projecting rock and dealt the final 
blow. 

The happy parents offered the victor any reward 
he might claim, and when he asked for their restored 
daughter as his wife, they gladly consented. But 
complications arose. Princess Andromeda had al- 
ready been promised to Phineus, a former suitor, 
who, too cowardly to lift his sword against the sea 
monster, nevertheless appeared to claim his bride. 
Supported by several armed followers, he attempted 


54 | 





Oeeetin OF GREECE AND ROME 


o break up the wedding feast. Perseus rose in 
wrath in the midst of the wild disorder, bade his 
own friends stand aside, and calmly unveiled the 
Gorgonhead. The rival Phineus and the other unin- 
vited guests were petrified where they stood. 

At last the triumphant hero returned with his 
dride to Seriphus. Here, learning that King Poly- 
dectes had been illtreating his mother, he relent- 
lessly turned the proud old king and all his nobles 
into stone. The next duty was to return the bor- 
rowed helmet, sword, sandals, and shield to their 
respective owners. The Gorgon head he presented 
to Minerva, and the pleased goddess placed it in the 
center of her shield. 

Perseus, with his wife and mother, could now 
journey to his native land. In the meantime King 
Acrisius, still fearing his doom, had moved to an- 
other kingdom. But the decree of the gods as 
spoken by the oracle had to be fulfilled. Conse- 
quently, Perseus, when visiting his grandfather one 
day, took part in a game of quoits and threw a disc 
which fell upon the foot of Acrisius and caused his 
death. Grieved by this involuntary crime, King Per- 
seus exchanged his own kingdom for another where 
he ruled well and wisely. He and Queen Androm- 
eda lived happily ever after, and at the end of a 
long and glorious reign they, with their mother Cas- 
siope, were placed by the gods among the stars. Of 
their famous great-grandson, Hercules, we shall hear 
marvelous things. 

[55 


HERCULES [St¢rength | 


SYMBOLS: The Signs of the Zodiac. The Pillars of 
Hercules. 


The glory of young men is their strength. 
PROVERBS 20: 29 

Foremost among the national heroes and demt- 
gods of ancient Greece was the mighty Hercules, son 
of the god Jupiter and the mortal princess Alcmene. 
Great was the admiration and respect and many were 
the honors paid to him for his countless wonderful 
deeds of strength and heroism. 

While but an infant, Hercules first gave proof of 
his godlike strength. The news of his birth having 
reached Olympus, Juno, jealous of Jupiter’s love for 
her mortal rival, Alcmene, sent two monstrous 
snakes to the palace to attack the babe in his cradle. 
The young prodigy succeeded in strangling the pot 
sonous serpents with his tiny hands. Not long after 
this he gave proof of his virtue; for, as the story 
goes, he was but a youth when he met on the cross- 
roads two women, Duty and Pleasure. Given his 
free choice of their respective gifts, he promptly 
chose those of the former; and Duty was thereafter 
known as the Choice of Hercules. 

The education of the boy was undertaken by the 
most celebrated scholars of Thebes. One day an 
unfortunate music teacher attempted to chastise 
young Hercules, and the promising pupil killed his 


56 | | 


MYTHS OF GREECE AND ROME 


master with a lute. For this breach of discipline he 
was sent to the mountains, where, among herdsmen 
-and cattle, he enjoyed a wild life hunting the lion 
and performing many deeds of valor. Later he re- 
turned to Thebes and assisted the king in a great 
battle, receiving for his reward the hand of the 
_king’s daughter, Princess Megara. 
| But the famous young hero could not escape the . 
hatred of Juno. ‘he implacable goddess cursed 
him with insanity so that in a fit of madness one 
day he killed his wife and children. Through the 
help of Minerva he regained his right mind, but 
by the decree of Juno and in expiation of the blood- 
shed for which she herself was to blame, Hercules 
was bound to the service of his cousin, King Eurys- 
theus, and compelled to obey his commands. Eurys- 
theus enjoined upon him twelve great tasks known 
as the Twelve Labors of Hercules. The first of 
these he performed near home, but each new task 
carried him farther and farther away until he 
completed his work in the Garden of Hesperides, 
which lay in the remote West, and in Hades, the 
kingdom of the underworld. The Delphic oracle 
instructed Hercules to submit to these labors, at the 
same time assuring him that in case he completed 
them successfully, he should be reckoned among the 
Immortals. It was with this promise in mind that 
the hero set forth. 

First, he tracked the Nemean lion to its den in 
the forest, and after strangling the beast, tore off its 


[57 


IN .THE LIGHT Oty 


impenetrable skin and wore it thereafter in his own 
defense. Second, he slew the Lyrnean hydra, a nine- 
headed water serpent, by burning away its fast 
growing heads and burying its one immortal head 
under a great rock. ‘Third, he captured the wild 
horses of Arcadia, after engaging in a fight with the 
centaurs. Fourth, he captured, after a desperate 
chase, the golden-horned, brazen-hoofed stag that 
ranged the hills of northern Cerynea. Fifth, he 
killed with his poisoned arrows the dangerous birds 
with cruel beaks and sharp talons that hovered over 
the stagnant waters of Lake Stymphalis, and ha- 
rassed the inhabitants of the valley.» Sixth, he 
caused two great rivers to flow through the Augean 
stables, thereby cleansing in one day the stalls of 
three thousand oxen belonging to Augeas, king of 
Elis. Seventh, he captured and subdued a beautiful 
Cretan bull and brought the brute safely to Mycene 
by riding on its back as it swam across the sea. 
Eighth, he conveyed to Eurystheus the wild horses 
of King Diomedes of Thrace, horses that fed on 
human flesh and to whom he fed their owner before | 
he could possess them. Ninth, he visited the land of 
the Amazons, mighty warlike women, and obtained 
for Eurystheus’ daughter the girdle belonging to 
the Amazon queen, Hippolyta. ‘Tenth, he captured 
the oxen belonging to Geryon, a three-headed, three- 
bodied, many-limbed monster who ruled in a far 
western country, upon whose frontiers the hero cast 
up two mighty mountains that now form the Strait 


58 | 


Meer tr HS OF GREECE AND ROME 


of Gibraltar and are known as the Pillars of Her- 
cules. Eleventh, he made an adventurous journey 
‘to the Garden of Hesperides in the Land of the Set- 
‘ting Sun, and by outwitting the giant Atlas, carried 
off three of the golden apples. ‘Twelfth and last, he 
descended to the underworld, and with the permis- 
‘sion of Pluto, given only upon condition that the 
prize would be later returned, conducted Cerberus, 
the three-headed watchdog of Hades, to the upper 
world. The hero could now rest from his labors. 

But even though Hercules had completed the 
twelve labors, he still continued in the path of duty, 
rendering assistance to the oppressed and distin- 
suishing himself by his superhuman strength. Again, 
for crimes committed during insanity, he was con- 
demned to servitude, this time under the command 
of Omphale, queen of Lydia. Hercules dressed 
efleminately and spent his time spinning wool with 
the queen’s handmaidens, while Omphale wore his 
lion’s skin. Soon after this he cut off the head of 
the king of Phrygia and threw it into the river 
‘Meander because this king was holding under his 
‘power young Daphnis, a shepherd, singer, and poet, 
loved of Apollo. He also joined the heroes of the 
Argonautic Expedition, but later deserted them to 
search for his loved attendant, the boy Hylas, whom 
‘the Naiads had stolen. He visited the Caucasian 
Mountains and fulfilled an age-old prophecy by kill- 
ing the vulture that preyed upon the liver of 
Prometheus, and loosed that hero from the rock to 


[59 














IN THE “LIGH Y Qh eer 


which he had been bound for centuries. From a 
sea monster he rescued Hesione, daughter of the 
Trojan king, Laomedon; and then waged war 
against Troy and killed Laomedon because he re- 
fused to give over the horses of Neptune, promised 
as a reward for the rescue of his daughter. And 
one of the most wonderful of the deeds of Hercules 
was his victorious battle with the King of Death, 
and his bringing back to life again the beautiful 
Alcestis who had volunteered her life that her hus- 
band Admetus might live. | 

Hercules’ mortal life ended in a grievous trag- 
edy. He had in later years married Dejaniray 
princess of Calydon, with whom he lived happily. 
But one day as the two journeyed together they came 
to a river. ‘The centaur, Nessus, who for a stated 
fee carried travelers across the stream, attempted to 
make off with Dejanira, and Hercules shot a pot- 
soned arrow into his heart. The dying centaur bade 
Dejanira keep a portion of his blood to be used as 
- a charm to preserve the love of her husband. She 
did so. Later, becoming jealous of Hercules’ love 
for Tole, a captive maid, she steeped one of his robes 
in the blood of Nessus. As soon as the garment 
became warm on the body of Hercules, the poison 
penetrated his flesh. Ina frenzy he hurled Lichas, 
the bearer of the fatal robe, over a cliff into the sea. 
Then he attempted to wrench off his garment, but 
it tore away whole pieces of his body. Dejanira, 
terrorized and filled with remorse at what she had 
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HERCULES ENGAGED IN A FIGHT WITH A CENTAUR 





IN THE LIGH DO eed 


done, hanged herself; and Hercules in his horrible 
state went aboard a ship and was taken home. There 
he built his own funeral pyre and prepared to die 
like a hero. After giving his loved bow and arrows 
to a friend, he mounted the pile, laid his head upon 
his faithful club, spread his lion’s skin over him, and 
commanded that the torch be applied. Thus the 
mortal Hercules perished in the flames. His spirit 
was conducted by Iris and Hermes to Olympus, 
where Juno, at last reconciled, adopted the hero as 
her son and gave him in marriage her daughter 
Hebe, bright goddess of youth. 

The glory of Hercules lived after him. Huis 
famous labors were in later times brought into con- 
nection with the twelve signs of the zodiac, and the 
memory of his life and deeds was an inspiration to 
his countrymen. ‘The laboring man, oppressed by 
toil, thought of the patient and stubborn endurance 
of Hercules; the soldier in battle remembered the 
hero’s battles and triumphs; the stalwart youth in 
the gymnasium pointed to the statue of Hercules as 
a model of the perfect athlete. For many genera- 
tions Greek poets, orators, artists, and statesmen 
echoed the message of their national hero: ‘Quit 
you like men! Be strong!” 


62 | 


PYGMALION [Ideals] 
SYMBOL: The Art of the Sculptor. 


Himself from God he could not free; 

He builded better than he knew — 

The conscious stone to beauty grew. 
EMERSON 


In Cyprus there once lived a young sculptor, 
Pygmalion by name, who had in early life found so 
much to’ blame in women that he disliked them ali. 
He determined never to marry, deciding rather to 
spend his life among ivory and marble carvings, de- 
voting himself to his art. 

In the course of time, ingeniously, and with won- 
drous skill, he carved a statue of a maiden from 
snow-white ivory, and gave it the beauty of a real 
virgin whom one might easily suppose to be alive 
and desirous to move. Day by day the sculptor 
wrought, patiently giving to his work all the beauty 
of his dreams, presenting in it his highest ideal. So 
well was his art concealed by his skill, that the result 
seemed the workmanship of nature, far too bovely to 
remain inanimate. Strangely enough, when the 
model was completed, the artist felt bound to it, was 
indeed powerless to leave it. This attachment grew 
like enchantment upon him until he loved the silent 
beautiful maiden more than anything else in the 
world. He named her Galatea and bestowed upon 
her gorgeous raiment and all other gifts suitable for 


[ 63 





IN THE LiGH iQ ieee 


living maidens. Her beads were the amber tears of 
the Heliades; her necklace was of costly pearls; her 
garlands were flowers of a thousand tints. From 
her delicate ears he hung smooth pendants, and he 
adorned her head with a band of jewels. His house 
too was made beautiful and fit for such a presence; 





HE DREAMED OF BEAUTY AND HIS DREAM CAME TRUE 


and Galatea, resting upon a rich covering of royal 
purple, was acclaimed the queen of his home. 

Just at this time a festival of Venus, much cel- 
ebrated throughout all Cyprus, was at hand; and 
Pygmalion, with all others who loved beauty, joined 
the worshippers. The odor of burnt offering filled 
the air; heifers with snow-white necks and spreading 
horns tipped with gold were slain for sacrifice; 
frankincense smoked within the temple. Pygmalion 
stood before the altar and fearfully made known his 


64 | 





eee OF GREECE AND ROME 


request to Venus: ‘Goddess who can grant all 
things, give me, I pray, a wife fair and pure as my 
ivory virgin.” His ideal was noble as his love was 
sincere, and Venus blessed him. Thrice the flame 
from the incense shot a fiery point in air, signifying 
to the worshipper that the golden goddess had heard 
his prayer. 

When Pygmalion reached home he found his 
loved statue as he had left her, standing in silence 
and gazing down upon him. But as he drew nearer, 
a gentle warmth seemed to radiate from the chill air 
about her. Was it the sunset that shed a soft flush 
of light upon her whiteness, making the frozen 
marble glow? In amazement the sculptor beheld 
her; then speechless, and struck with a strange thrill 
of hope, he drew closer. A splendor of gold was 
upon her hair, faint color flushed her cheeks, and a 
new light of feeling shone in her eyes. Pygmalion 
touched the marble hand,which yielded to his fingers, 
just as the chiseled lips softened to a smile and a 
clear voice spoke his name. ‘The statue had awak- 
ened; and Galatea, miracle of love and beauty, 
stepped down from her pedestal into the arms of 
her creator, a living, breathing woman! The artist 
had worshipped his ideal and it became real; he had 
dreamed of beauty, and his dream came true. 


[ 65 


PERSEPHONE [Immortalcty | 


SYMBOLS: The Changing Seasons. 


For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. 
The flowers appear on the earth, the time of the sing- 
ing of the birds is come. . . Arise, my love, my 
fair one, and come away. 


SONG OF SOLOMON 2:II-13 

At the foot of Mount /tna’s grassy slope lay 
the beautiful vale of Enna, where Spring reigned 
perpetual and the sowing time and reaping time were 
one. Here in meadows of soft grass grew hyacinths 
and roses, the narcissus, the bright crocus, and fair 
violets — countless heads of blossom making glad 
earth, sea, and sky. Here by wood-embowered 
lakes, happy nymphs and maidens sang and danced 
or wove their garlands of fresh flowers. And here 
it was one early dawn when the dew lay white upon 
the grass, that Persephone, Ceres’ lovely daughter, 
strayed from her companions. As she heaped her 
basket with the moist purple violets, the earth sud- 
denly opened, and Pluto, dark king of the under- 
world, sprang forth, mounted in his iron chariot and 
driving his coal-black steeds. Unmindful of her 
petitions and tears, he seized the helpless maiden 
and bore her away with him. Her cries for help 
re-echoed on the mountain side; her flowers, so lately 
cherished, lay in innocent fragile ae wind-scat- 
tered over the meadow grass. 

On and on dashed the chariot nor tonne until 


66 | 





fees OF GREECE AND ROME 


it reached the river Cyane, whose waters opposed 
its passage. Here Pluto struck the river bank with 
his trident, and Earth, obedient, opened and swal- 
lowed into its cavernous depths the dread monarch 
of Hades and his beautiful captive bride. 

Meanwhile Ceres, goddess of harvests, sought 
everywhere for her child. Far away in her dragon- 
drawn chariot, she had heard Persephone’s cry and 
had hastened to the rescue. But effort was in vain. 
By day and night, in sunlight, moonlight, and falling 
showers, she wandered up and down the earth with 
blazing torches in her hands. Aurora, goddess of the 
dawn, and Hesperus, the evening star, alike found 
her searching. From no one could she learn the 
truth until the Sun, watchman both of gods and men, 
finally told her the story. 

In grief and anger Ceres forsook the assembly 
of the gods and abode among men. With her beauty 
hidden under the guise of a worn and aged woman, 
she came.to the country of Eleusis and sat sorrowing 
at a wayside well in the shadow of an olive tree. 
The daughters of King Celeus, bringing their 
pitchers for water, felt pity for her loneliness, and 
led her to their father’s house. Here she consented 
to remain and nurse the king’s only son who lay sick 
with fever. With a kiss she restored life and health 
to the boy and then sought to make him immortal 
by hiding him in the red coals of the fire, but the ter- 
rifled mother snatched her son from the burning 
embers. At this Ceres manifested herself openly. 

[ 67 





IN THE. LIGHT. OFP=evinerH 


As she stood before them, a radiant goddess, her 
beauty filling the room, mother and daughters fell 
at her feet. Promising to return later and instruct 
the young prince in the mysteries of agriculture, 
Ceres departed; and King Celeus ordered a temple 
built in her honor and commanded his people to 
worship therein. 

The goddess, still grieving bitterly, now laid a 
curse upon the innocent earth in which her daughter 
had disappeared. Drought, flood, and plague suc- 
ceeded, and a grievous famine ensued. The dry seed 
remained hidden in the sterile soil; the white corn 
fell fruitless on the barren ground; in vain the oxen 
drew the plowshare through the furrows. ‘The hu- 
man race itself would have perished had not Jupiter 
interfered. One after another he sent the gods to 
plead with Ceres, but she refused to return to Olym- 
pus or to yield the fruit of the earth until her eyes 
had beheld her lost daughter again. Jupiter then 
despatched Mercury to the Kingdom of the Dead to 
demand the return of Persephone. 

On her royal throne in the bloomless land where 
the sun never shone and the birds never sang, sat 
Pluto’s sad queen. Sick with longing for her mother, 
she had refused all food, having but tasted the 
sweet pulp of a pomegranate with which Pluto had 
tempted her. But since the Fates had decreed that 
all those who partook of food in the Underworld 
were destined to remain there, Jupiter was forced to 
effect a compromise ordaining that Persephone 
68 | 








Seeetis OF. GREECE AND .ROME 





might for two parts of the year remain with her 
mother, returning for one-third part only to her hus- 
band in the Kingdom of the Dead. 

In great joy Persephone rose to meet-Jupiter’s 
messenger and the two passed quickly out through 
the infernal halls, on over the ways of the long jour- 
ney to the world of light above. To herald her 





| 


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\ 
HE SEIZED THE HELPLESS MAIDEN AND BORE HER AWAY 


return the birds sang a joyous welcome, and about 
her light footsteps the grass sprang fresh and green. 
Ceres came forth in rapture to greet her; and as 
mother and daughter joined again the company of 
the gods, bright flowers bloomed a greeting along 
their pathway, while overhead the skies became 
sunny and blue. The hungry flocks were fed; for 


[ 69 





IN. (“FHE © CDI @H SO ee 


earth, yielding again her increase, had laden the land 
with leaves and fruit and waving corn. Nor did 
_ Ceres forget the young prince of Eleusis, but re- 
turned to instruct him in the use of the plow and the 
rewards that labor can win from the soil. And ever 
after, the princes of that country held a yearly fes- 
tival, performing rites at the temple of Ceres and 
giving thanks for the bounty of the harvest. 

And so it is that every year, with the falling of 
the leaves, Persephone descends to the world of 
darkness. During her absence, under the spell of 
Ceres’ grief, the earth lies in brooding fertility, hid- 
ing within its dark folds the flower seeds and the 
fragrant roots. Then, after the long waiting, the 
goddess goes forth to meet her daughter; and earth, 
thrilling to the harmony of growing things, lies open 
for the coming of spring. For, true to the promise 
of the gods, Persephone is released from her prison 
tomb, and with the seedlings from their winter cells 
comes forth triumphant, responding to Nature’s stir- 
ring summons, ‘Awake and sing, ye that dwell in 
the dust!” 

And the spirit of gladness abroad in nature is 
akin to that in the heart of man; for even as the 
seed is sown in hope, so Death, the dark lover of 
all fair life, brings promise of new life to come. 
Mankind, too, then rejoices in the season’s miracle, 
whose mystery, hope, and beauty proclaim life’s 
sacred message of soul that is immortal, of heaven’s 
perennial spring. 

70 | 


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THE PINES 


On the flanks of the storm-gored ridges are our black 
battalions massed; 

We surge in a host to the sullen coast, and we sing 
in the ocean blast; 

From empire of sea to empire of snow we grip our 
empire fast. 

* Ok ok ok Ox 

Ours from the bleak beginning, through the zons of 
deathlike sleep; 

Ours from the shock when the naked rock was hurled 
from the hissing deep; 

Ours through the twilight ages of weary glacier- 
creep. 

rae wee ee 

To the niggard lands were we driven; twixt desert 
and floe are we penned. 

To us was the Northland given, ours to stronghold 
and defend; 

Ours till the world be riven in the crash of the utter 
end. 

ROBERT W. SERVICE 


From Robert W. Service’s The Spell of the Yukon, published 
by Barse & Hopkins, Newark, New Jersey. 


AMONG THE GODS 


. Down the supernal roads, 
With plumes a-tossing, purple flags far flung, 
Rank upon rank, unbridled, unforgiving, 
Thundered the black battalions of the Gods. 


RUPERT BROOKE 


I. DWELLING 


Asgard, wondrous city of the gods, stood upon 
Ida-Plain. Over it towered Ygegdrasill, the great tree 
of time, whose branches supported the universe, and 
whose roots pierced not only Asgard, but also Jo- 
tunnheim, land of the giants, and Niflheim, region 
of mist and darkness. Beneath Ygegdrasill flowed 
Ymir’s well in which all wisdom and understanding 
were concealed, also the fountain of Urdar with 
whose sacred waters the Norns or Fates daily sprin- 
kled the great tree. 

The countless palaces of Asgard were of gold 
and silver. Fairest among them was Gladsheim 
(Home of Joy), the golden palace belonging to Odin, 
king and father of the gods. Gladsheim was sur- | 
rounded, by a roaring river and by giant forest trees 
whose leaves of ruddy autumn gold half hid its shin- 
ing walls. Within were the twelve great seats oc- 
cupied by the gods in council, also Odin’s wonder- 
throne. But the glory of Gladsheim was Valhalla 
(Hall of the Chosen Slain), roofed with the golden 
shields of the warriors, and walled with the inter- 
lacing of their glittering spears. Five hundred forty 


[ 73 





IN: THE LIGH TsO yee 


doors, through each of which eight hundred men 
could march abreast, gave entrance to this mighty 
hall. All heroes who gloriously lost their lives in 
battle were carried thither by the Valkyries 
(Choosers of the Slain), the nine daughters of Odin, 
whose white horses galloped the clouds. Here in 


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FAIREST AMONG THE PALACES WAS GLADSHEIM 


Valhalla the heroes amused themselves each day by 
engaging in battle in the courtyard of the palace, 
returning each evening, cured of their wounds, to 
the great banquet table where they feasted on the 
flesh of the sacred boar and drank of celestial mead. 


Odin (Woden) sometimes called All Father, was 
74 | 








Memeo OF THE NORTH 


Asgard’s king. He was supreme in wisdom and gov- 
_erned all things. Ready for battle, he rode his 
“matchless eight-footed steed, Sleipnir, and was 
armed with his eagle Helmet, his magic ring, and 
_Gungnir, his infallible sword. He was usually rep- 
resented as having but one eye, for he had sacrificed 
| the other in winning his bride, Frigga. When seated 
on his throne he overlooked heaven and earth. Upon 
| his shoulders perched two ravens, Hugin and Munin 
‘(Thought and Memory), and at his feet crouched 
‘two wolves, Geri and Freki (Greedy and Fierce). 
Opposite him sat Frigga, his wife, who knew all 
things. 

Access was gained to Asgard only by crossing the 
tricolored arched bridge, Bifrost, the rainbow, which 
spanned the broad river Ifing upon whose waters ice 
never formed. Over this bridge rode all the gods 
save Thor (the Thunderer). Because of the dan- 
gerous heat of his lightning, he was forced to ford 
the stream beneath. Beyond Ifing lay Jotunnheim, 
the giant’s country. Heimdall, watchman of the 
gods, guarded the bridge Bifrost continually. He 
required less sleep than a bird, could see a hundred 
miles by day or night, and could hear the grass grow 
in the field or the wool on a sheep’s back. 





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OVER ASGARD TOWERED THE GREAT TREE OF TIME 





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Il. Fortress 


A strange artificer appeared in Asgard one day 
‘and offered to build for the gods a stone fortress 
‘strong enough to protect them securely against the 
frost giants and the mountain giants. The reward 
‘he demanded for his labor was most extraordinary: 
The goddess Freya, together with the Sun and 
Moon. The gods, urged by Loki, agreed to the out- 
rageous terms providing the work were finished in 
the space of one winter and that the builder accom- 
‘lish his task with no other assistance than that of 
nis horse, Svadilfare. If, however, by the first day 
‘of summer, the fortress were lacking a single stone, 
‘the builder must forfeit the recompense agreed on. 
| The unknown architect submitted to the condi- 
‘ions and on the first day of winter began his work. 
During the night, with the help of Svadilfare, be 
dragged from the forest enormous stones of moun- 
‘ain size, and during the day he piled these stones 
nto place with astounding strength and skill. The 
ods, struck with astonishment at the size of the. 
stones and at the speed and strength of the worker, 
30on realized that he was no ordinary builder. As 
che winter advanced and the fortress neared com- 


‘ann it was greatly feared that the stranger would 








‘ulfill his contract and demand his price. Finally, 
|when summer was but three days off and the fortress 
stood strong and complete except for the last bul- 
wark, the gods met in council. ‘They inquired of 


27 





| 
| 
| 





IN .THE LIGHT) 3 eee 


one another who among them could have advised 
giving up Freya or plunging the heavens into dark- 
ness by giving away the Sun and the Moon. All 
agreed that Loki was to blame, and they threatened 
to kill him unless he contrived some way to prevent 
the builder’s completing his task in the specified time. 

On the last night of winter when there remained 
but a few stones to be put in place on the arch of the 
ponderous gateway, Loki outwitted the builder. 
Changing himself into a mare he ran into the forest 
and neighed just as Svadilfare passed by, dragging 
the last huge blocks of stone. In a trice Svadilfare 
broke loose and ran into the forest, closely pursued 
by his angry and helpless master. ‘The whole night’s 
work was lost. At dawn the building remained un- 
finished. ‘The mysterious artificer, finding himself 
tricked, returned to the fortress, and assuming his 
proper form, appeared before the gods a towering 
giant, hot with rage and threatening to demolish 
their whole fair city. When the gods found their 
builder to be a disguised enemy, they no longer felt 
bound by their oaths, and called Thor to their 
assistance. “The Thunderer raised his mighty ham- 
mer and paid the giant his wages, not with Freya 
or the Sun and Moon, but with a powerful blow 
that shattered his skull and hurled him headlong into 
Niflheim. 

The great stones, too heavy even for the gods to 
lift, were never put in place on top of the lofty fort- 
ress that guarded the city of Asgard. 


78 ] 





: 
Mendon OE oTHE: NORTH 
III. ‘TREASURES 
. 

Through the mischief of Loki and his malice 
toward Thor, the treasures of the gods came to be. 
‘Thor was very fond of his wife Sif, and especially 
‘proud of her beautiful hair which fell in golden 
Nfaves to her feet and covered her like a veil. One 
day the sly Loki stealthily cut off Sif’s hair; when 
‘Thor discovered it, he caught the mischief-maker 
‘and threatened to break every bone in his body. 
/Loki begged for mercy, promising to procure for Sif 
ihair of real gold that would grow upon her head 
as beautiful and luxuriant as the first. 

Deep in the subterranean passages of the earth | 
lived the long-nosed, crooked-bodied, black dwarfs, 
the most skilled artificers of all living beings. There 
in flaming magic furnaces they worked wonders in 
‘metal and wood. To them came Loki, begging for 
hair for Sif, besides presents for Odin and Frey. 
The dwarfs obligingly fashioned not only hair of 
the finest gold, but also the sword Gungnir which 
\never missed its aim, and the ship Skidbladnir that 
‘could sail both air and water, and which, though 
large enough to hold all the gods and their steeds, 
‘could also be folded together and carried in one’s 
}pocket. 
| As Loki prepared to return to Asgard with his 
jthree treasures, he met the dwarf Brock, who 
}o0asted that his brother Sindri could make three 
‘finer treasures than those which Loki carried. Loki — 


| 79 











| 





IN THE LIGHT 30 aeoer 


immediately challenged Sindri to show his skill, 
wagering his own head against Brock’s on the result 
of the undertaking. Sindri accepted. While Brock 
plied the bellows, Sindri worked at the mystic forge. 
In the form of a gadfly, Loki thrice tried his best to 
spoil the work by stinging Brock. In spite of this, 
- Sindri finished three great pieces of work: A boar 
with golden bristles that could run more swiftly than 
any horse on sea or land; the golden ring, Draupnir, 
from which eight similar rings dropped every ninth 
night; and the mighty hammer, Mpollnir, which 
nothing could withstand. The handle of Myjollnir 
was a little short; this defect Loki had caused with 
his stings. 

The wager was settled in Asgard, whither Brock 
accompanied Loki. ‘There the spear and the ring 
were presented to Odin, and the ship and the boar 
to the god Frey. To Thor was given the hammer, 
and to Sif, the hair of spun gold that immediately 
grew like real upon her head. The gods praised all 
the gifts, but, after deliberation, decided that Brock 
had fairly won the wager, and that Loki must for- 
feit his head. Loki immediately fled, but was cap- 
tured by Thor who handed him over to Brock. The 
wily rascal then declared that the wager required 
only the payment of his head but not an inch of his 
neck. To this the gods had to agree, and Brock, 
exasperated, put an end, for a time at least, to Loki’s 
bragging taunts and lies by sewing his lips together. 

Though not included among the dwarfs’ gifts, 


80 | 





PX LHS aus ie rish) ONG) RL sH 


the famous apples of Iduna were considered one of 
the prized possessions of the gods. ‘These apples 
had the power of renewing the gods’ youth. They 
were carefully kept in a box by Iduna, the wife of 
the poet god, Bragi. Another magic sword besides 
Gungnir was also, for a time, numbered among the 


illo, 
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S's & 
XY 4 


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Se 


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Cd 
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3 oD, 


a0, ae | 
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IN FLAMING FURNACES THE DWARFS WORKED WONDERS 





e \2 Fy 
; poe 
| bed 


treasures of the gods. This sword would of itself 
spread a field with carnage whenever the owner de- 
sired it. It was owned by Frey, the bright god of 
sunshine, who presided over the rain and all the 
fruits of the earth. But Frey sacrificed his wonder- 
ful weapon to win as his bride, Gerth, a beautiful 
maiden from the Land of the Giants. 


[ 8x 





IN THE .LIGH YT 0 hag eer 





IV. ENEMIES 


Among the enemies of the gods, those most 
feared were the giants of Jotunnheim: Frost giants, 
mountain giants, and giants of the sea. These en- 
emies, symbolic of the forces of nature, often re- 
sembled in size, power, or fury the mist, cold, ice, 
and storm. | 

Now the gods had created the earth, Midgard 
(Middie Garden), and peopled it with men whom 
they protected and cared for. To light Midgard they 
had set the brother and sister Sun and Moon in the 
sky, and placed beside them the jeweled stars created 
from sparks of fire. The giants were very jealous 
of all this power of the gods and did everything pos- 
sible to injure them and the people of earth. On 
this account continual war prevailed between the 
gods of Asgard and the giants of Jotunnheim. 

Within Asgard, too, there dwelt at one time dan- 
gerous enemies of the gods. ‘These were the three 
monster children of Loki. Loki, often called Arch- 
deceiver and Prince of Lies, was a master contriver 
of fraud and mischief. He had descended from the 
giant race, but had forced himself into the company 
of the gods and took pleasure in bringing them into 
difficulties and then, through his wit and cunning, 
in extricating them from the dangers that ensued. 
His three dread children were the wolf, Fenris, sym- 
bolic of fire, the Midgard Serpent, representative of 
storms at sea, and Hela, death. 


82 | 








feree tis OF THE NORTH 


Since it was prophesied that these three would 
at some time bring evil upon the gods, Odin sent for 
them one day. In the presence of his council he 
seized the Midgard Serpent and hurled it into mid- 
ocean where it grew to such enormous size, that, 
holding its tail in its mouth, it encircled the whole 
earth. Hela, Odin cast into Niflheim, making her 
queen over all who died of sickness and old age. In 
that dreary kingdom of the underworld, Delay was 
her messenger, Hunger, her table, Care, her bed, 
and Bitter Anguish, the hangings of her apartment. 
The wolf Fenris proved a more difficult task, for the 
gods were deceived by his sly and seemingly gentle 
disposition and decided to bring him up in Asgard. 
When his evil nature began to assert itself, they 
resolved to bind him fast; but it was found that he 
could break the strongest fetters as though they 
were made of cobwebs. Finally the gods sent a 
messenger to the mountain spirits who made for 
them a magic cord called Gleipnir. No strength 
could avail to break this slender silken fetter, for it 
was fashioned of six very subtle elements: The noise 
of a cat’s paw, the beard of a woman, the roots of 
a mountain, the longings of a bear, the breath of a 
fish, and the spittle of a bird. Fenris, however, sus- 
pected fraud, and was unwilling to be bound by 
Gleipnir until Tyr, bold god of battle, thrust his 
right hand, as a pledge of good faith, into the mon- 
ster’s mouth. Then when the wolf discovered that 
he could not break his bonds and that the gods would 


[ 83 





IN THE LIGHT (Ope 






not release him, he snapped his jaws together, biting] 
off ‘Tyr’s hand. | 

At a later time the villain Loki received his mer-| 
ited punishment, but not until after he had brought; 
untold sorrow upon Asgard. Fearing the wrath of| 
the gods because of his wickedness, he had fled to! 
the mountains and there built a hut and made use| 
of his cunning to invent the fishing net which men| 
have used ever since his time. When the gods dis-) 
covered his hiding place, the artificer changed him-) 
self into a salmon and hid in the brook. But his’ 
relentless pursuers caught him in his own net, and) 
after forcing him to assume his own form, bound| 
him with chains beneath a suspended serpent whose’ 
venom falls drop by drop upon his face. Sigyn, 
Loki’s wife, sits ever at his side catching the loath- 
some drops in her cup; while she empties the cup 
the wretched Loki writhes in horror. | 





< es il ee 
eae i ? PES 





84 | 


i pi 





lee MYTHS OF THE NORTH 


V. RAGNAROK 


Ragnarok, the twilight of the gods, was the 
‘time that should come when all visible creation 
‘should be destroyed. First comes a triple win- 
ter announcing that the fearful day of destiny 
‘draws near. Ygegdrasill trembles as Heimdall 
sounds his horn in warning and the gods assemble 
jfor the last time. The dwarfs groan in the moun- 
‘tains; there is a roar and a crashing in Jotunnheim. 
‘Fenris bursts his chains, and the Midgard Serpent, 
unloosed, writhes in wrath and lashes the sea into 
‘towering waves. ‘The bridge Bifrost falls under the 
horses’ hoofs as amid the flaming swords the Sun 
‘and Moon are swallowed up. 
On the great plain of heaven the gods and all 
‘their enemies meet in deadly battle. Odin falls a 
‘victim to the monster Fenris, who is in turn slain 
by one of Odin’s sons. Heimdall and Loki destroy 
each other. ‘Thor, the mighty, slays the Midgard 
‘Serpent and then sinks to earth, dead, choked by his 
-enemy’s poison. The sun grows dim, earth sinks into 
ocean, the stars fall from heaven, and time is no more. 
But this downfall is not everlasting. Alfadur 
(The Almighty) will create a new heaven and earth 
where justice and peace shall prevail. This new 
earth shall arise green and glorious from the sea, 
and upon it the regenerated gods and the new race 
of men shall dwell forever, finding the golden hap- 
piness they had known in the morning of time. 
[ 85 





THE ADVENTURES OF THOR 


I am the War God, 

I am the Thunderer; 

Here in my Northland, 

My fastness and fortress, 

Reign I forever! 
LONGFELLOW 

The mighty Thor, War God and Thunderer 
was Odin’s eldest son and the strongest of gods anc 
men. He occupied a seat in the council of the gods 
and owned the wonderful palace called Bilskirnii 
(Lightning), one of the most spacious in Asgard 
In battle, neither gods nor men could withstand him. 
and when he traveled through the sky in his goat: 
drawn chariot, earth quaked and the mountain: 
trembled. For mortals, the thunder crash was but 
the rumble and roar of the brazen chariot of the 
War God. 

Thor possessed three magic treasures. The firs! 
was his hammer Mjollnir (The Crusher), emblen: 
of the lightning and the thunderbolt, a deadly 
weapon that always returned to its owner’s hand 
when hurled against an enemy. ‘The second was his 
magic belt; when this was girded about him his di- 
vine strength was doubled. His third treasure, his 
iron gauntlet, enabled him to grasp his hammer 
firmly and to hurl it far. Armed with these, the 
Thunderer waged war against all enemies of the 
gods. 


86 | 





Meeeeito OF THE NORTH 


I. THe QUEST OF THE HAMMER 


One morning Thor awoke to find his precious 
hammer missing. Angrily he smote his brow and 
shook his beard until the very palace trembled. His 
cry of rage brought Loki, to whom he confided his 
loss. Loki immediately suspected Thrym, the king 
of the giants, and at Thor’s request, borrowed 
Freya’s feathered garment and flew in haste to Jo- 
tunnheim. Thrym admitted the theft, but declared 
that the hammer, buried fathoms deep in the ground, 
should never be returned to its owner until Freya, 
goddess of love and beauty, was brought to him as 
his bride. When Loki returned with the giant’s de- 
mand there was consternation in Asgard. No one 
wanted to sacrifice the charming goddess even for 
the general good, and in wrathful tears Freya her- 
self refused to become the bride of an ugly old frost 
giant. Odin then called a council and the god Heim- 
dall solved the problem. 

“Tet us bind bridal linen about Thor and deck 
him with beautiful ornaments. Let flowing gar- 
ments fall about his knees, and let his head be decked 
in woman’s fashion.” 

Thor was very reluctant, but he submitted to the 
humiliating necessity, for he knew that the giants 
would take possession of Asgard if he did not regain 
his hammer. The daughters of Odin adorned the 
bride. Over the warrior’s cloak of mail and the 
magic girdle they draped Freya’s fairest robe; and 


[ 87 


IN THE: LIGHT OFM al 


upon the red and bristling hair they set a headdres: 
of silk and pearls. ‘Then to conceal his fierce eyes, 
his long red beard, and his massive bulk — all oj 
which hardly became a maiden —they covered hin 
from head to foot with a bridal veil of silvery white. 
Loki, dressed as a maid attendant, mounted with 





WITH A SHOUT OF TRIUMPH THOR SLEW THE BRIDEGROOM 


Thor into the brazen chariot and together they 
started forth upon the strange bridal journey. 

In Jotunnheim a splendid feast had been pre- 
pared. Thrym himself met his bride-elect at the 
palace door and conducted her to the banquet hall. 
There Thor bore his part with ill grace, for he 
amazed the bridegroom and the assembled guests 
88 | 





meee Or THE NORTH 


by consuming for his supper eight huge salmon, thir- 
ty hams, and a roasted ox, together with the sweet- 
meats and dessert for all the lady guests, and by 
washing down the whole with three barrels of mead! 
Loki wisely explained that Freya had tasted no food 
for eight days and nights, so eager had she been to 
meet her bridegroom. But when Thrym lifted the 
veil to kiss his bride, he started back in alarm at the 
fire in her eyes. Again Loki was forced to explain 
that the bride’s fiery glance, as well as her enormous 
appetite, showed her longing for the bridegroom and 
her eagerness for Jotunnheim. 

Flattered and delighted, Thrym then com- 
manded the wedding gift to be brought and laid in 
Freya’s lap. But the precious weapon was no sooner 
produced than it was seized in the iron grip of 
Thor’s powerful hand; and the Thunderer, with a 
shout of revenge and triumph, tore off the false 
bridal veil and slew the giant bridegroom. Without 
mercy he then fell upon Thrym’s family and friends. 
‘The giant’s sister, who had begged for a bridal gift, 
received a hammer blow instead of golden rings. 
When the conflict ended, the palace lay a heap of 
smoking ruins. The wedding party then made ready 
to return at once to Asgard; for, as Loki aptly put 
it, aS bride had been widowed! 





IN»: THE’ LIGHT Oey 


II. Hymrr’s KETTLE 


The sea god Agir was in need of a vast caldron 
a mile wide and a mile deep in which to prepare the 
harvest feast celebrated by the gods at his home. 
He called on Thor to visit the fierce giant Hymir, 
who owned the largest kettles in the world, to obtain 
one if possible for the great occasion. 

Thor set out together with Tyr and they reached 
the giant’s dwelling. At first Hymir received his 
visitors most rudely and inhospitably, raging and 
roaring about his cave and making his huge kettles 
bang and rattle to the floor until Thor and Tyr were 
compelled to hide themselves for safety. Later he 
became sore offended because Thor ate two of the 
three roasted oxen served for the evening meal. 
The next morning, in no better humor, Hymir 
started out to fish in order to procure breakfast for 
his ravenous guests. Thor, who made ready to ac- 
company his host, asked for the bait and was told 
in a ferocious manner to look out for it himself. 
The god coolly wrenched off the head of one of 
Hymir’s finest black oxen, then seated himself in the 
boat and began to row with such violent strokes that 
the giant’s anger soon changed to terror. In spite 
of all protestations, however, Thor refused to quit 
rowing until the boat had gone far out.to sea in the 
region of the dread Midgard Serpent. Then while 
Hymir was engaged in catching whales for break- 
fast, the bold Thunderer deliberately angled for the 


90 ] 





7 waver os OF THE NORTH 


‘Serpent and actually succeeded in hooking it and 
‘bringing it to the surface of the water. But just as 
he was on the point of crushing its fearful head with 
his hammer, the terror-stricken giant cut the line, 
letting the monster sink back again to the bottom of 
the sea. Thor thanked Hymir for his pains with a 
‘blow that sent the giant overboard. Nothing 
daunted, Hymir waded ashore, meeting Thor, who 
‘returned with the boat, at the beach. 

» When breakfast was over, Thor was given per- 
‘mission to carry off the desired kettle on condition 
‘that he first prove his strength by crushing his host’s 
‘drinking goblet. After repeated efforts to break the 
‘beaker by hurling it against stone pillars and walls, 
‘Thor finally shivered it to pieces against Hymir’s 
skull, the only substance harder than the goblet 
itself. The shock of the breaking beaker shattered 
the giant’s house. Thor and Tyr then made their 
escape with the monstrous kettle, pursued, but vain- 
ly, by the angry hosts of Hymir. 





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[ 91 





IN: THE |. LIGHT Oveee eee 


III. THor AND HRUNGNIR 


Thor was at one time called upon to settle : 
dispute between Odin and a giant named Hrungnir. 
It happened in this way. As Odin was dashing 
through the air on his matchless steed Sleipnir, who 
was fleeter than the wind, he met the giant Hrungnir 
who boasted that his own beautiful horse Gullfaxi 
(Golden-maned) was far better than Sleipnir. Odin 
rode back to Asgard, with the bragging giant racing 
after him to the very gates of Valhalla. The gods, 
hospitable even to an enemy, invited him in to their 
banquet and gave him of their mead to drink. As 
Hrungnir drank he became more and more arro- 
gant until finally the gods called for Thor, who ap- 
peared on the scene ready to annihilate the boaster. 
But Hrungnir, intimating that it were dishonor to 
slay a defenseless foe, boldly challenged Thor to a 
duel. Thor eagerly accepted and they agreed to 
meet three days later. 

In the meantime the other giants built fay 
Hrungnir a champion of clay nine miles long and 
proportionately wide, that was to accompany him as 
his squire and to engage Thialfe, Thor’s squire, in 
combat. They named this clay monster Mokkrkalf 
(Mist-wader) and put within its cowardly breast the 
heart of a mare. 

On the appointed day Hrungnir appeared, ac- 
companied by his strange companion and armed with 
a shield and a huge grindstone. Standing upon his 


92 | 











Pees POR PHBE NORTH 


shield lest the Thunderer should come up from the 
ground, the braggart felt he had nothing to fear, 
for his giant head was made of flint and his heart 
was a three-cornered stone. Thor took his stand 
amid lightning and a crash of thunder; grindstone 
and hammer met midway. Although Mjollnir held 
its course and crushed the giant, a piece of the shat- 
tered grindstone struck deep into Thor’s forehead 
causing him to fall to the ground in such a way that 
the giant’s foot lay across his neck. ‘Thialfe, who 
had easily disposed of his clay opponent, now rushed 
to his master’s assistance; but neither he nor any of 
the gods whom he summoned could lift the giant’s 
leg. Finally Thor’s three-year-old son, Magni, 
lifted the weight unaided and set his father free. 
Magni received as a reward for his feat Hrungnir’s 
beautiful horse. As for Thor, he returned home 
with the stone splinter still in his forehead, and 
neither the efforts of his wife Sif, nor the magic 
charms of the healing woman, Groa, availed to re- 
move it entirely. 





[ 93 





IN THE: LIGH TO ied 


IV. THE JOURNEY INTO JOTUNNHEIM 


One day Thor, accompanied by Loki, set out in 
the brazen chariot for Jotunnheim, the country of 
the giants. In the evening they stopped at a peas- 
ant’s hut to refresh themselves and spend the night. 
Their host was hospitable but very poor. ‘Thor, to 
supply the food for the supper, slew his two goats, 
cooked them, and invited the peasant and his family 
to partake of them with him. He cautioned every- 
one to throw the bones, without breaking them, into 
the goat skins spread out on the floor; but Thialfe, 
the peasant’s son, broke one of the bones in order 
to suck out the marrow. This disobedience was not 
discovered until the next morning. When Thor was 
ready to depart he brought his goats back to life 
by striking with his hammer upon the skins, and 
then he found that one of the animals was lame. 
The god was so enraged that the peasant was con- 
strained to pay for the damage by giving him his 
son, Thialfe, and his daughter, Roskva, as servants. 

Leaving the goats in the care of the peasant, 
Thor now set out on foot with Loki and his two new 
attendants. At nightfall they searched in the forest 
for a place to stay and found a large hall with an 
entrance that covered the whole end of the building. 
They entered and lay down to sleep. In the night 
their slumbers were broken by a rumbling sound that 
shook the house, and fearing that the roof might 
fall on them, they sought refuge in a long narrow 


94 | 





Maio OF THE NORTH 


wing of the building. Even here they slept but fit- 
fully because of the strange sounds that continued 
all night. At dawn Thor went out and discovered a 
huge giant not far away, fast asleep and snoring 
mightily. At Thor’s approach the giant awoke. “I 
-am Skrymir,” he said, stretching himself to his great 


‘! 





e ~~. 
LW H ‘ wanttie 
PMN CARS NSS 


aaa 


THOR DISCOVERED A HUGE GIANT, FAST ASLEEP 


height. Then he added carelessly, “Do you happen 
to have picked up my glove?” Thor was amazed 
to discover that the building which he had taken for 
a large house was but the giant’s glove; and the 
chamber in which he had spent the night, its thumb! 
All of the travelers breakfasted together and 


[95 





IN THE UCDGHT) + Otay eters 


agreed to continue their journey in company. Skry- 
mir packed all the provisions into one wallet, threw 
it over his shoulder, and strode on before his little 
companions with such tremendous strides that it was 
only with great difficulty they kept up with him. For 
a little way Roskva rode on his shoulder, but the 
height made her so dizzy that she was glad to come 
down and hurry along by her brother’s side. 

At dusk they encamped under a great oak tree. 
The giant, bidding the others take the wallet and 
prepare the supper, settled his huge bulk for a nap 
and was soon snoring soundly. But the united efforts 
of Thor and his attendants failed to untie a single 
knot of the wallet. Thor, baffled and angry, threw 
his hammer at the giant’s head, whereupon Skrymir 
roused himself and asked if a leaf had fallen. Twice 
during the night Thor seized his hammer and struck 
a furious blow on the snoring giant’s head. Each 
time Skrymir only roused himself sufficiently to ex- 
press surprise at Thor’s being still awake, and to 
inquire if a twig had tumbled from a bird’s nest, or 
if acorns were falling from the tree! 

The next morning after giving them directions 
for reaching the giant’s city, Utgard, Skrymir 
took leave of his little companions who continued 
at a slower pace and by noon came to the lofty 
city set in a great plain. Entering, they came to 
the palace of the king, Utgard-Loki, whom they 
saluted with great respect. The giant king pre- 
tended great surprise at the diminutive size of his 


96 | 





MYTHS OF: THE NORTH 


visitors, whereat Thor spoke out boastfully, 
“Though we be small in comparison with the Jo- 
tunns, we are gifted with powers that may surprise 
you and are by no means to be despised.”’ 

“Indeed,” said the king, much amused. ‘No 
one remains here who does not in some feat or other 
excel all other men. In what, then, art thou and 
thy fellows skilled?” 

Loki, who had fasted longer than he wished, de- 
clared he was ready to eat for a wager. Well 
pleased, the king ordered a great wooden trough full 
of meat brought into the hall. At one end he placed 
Loki, and at the other, his cook, Logi. Each ate as 
fast as he could until they met in the middle of the 
trough. Loki, however, was declared vanquished; 
for, while he had eaten only the flesh, his adversary 
had consumed flesh, bones, and trough. 

Thialfe, who was of all men the fleetest of foot, 
now offered to run in a race. One named Hugi was 
matched against him and the race took place on a 
broad, smooth plain. Although Thialfe’s speed was 
that of the wind, his competitor so far outstripped 
him as to turn back and meet him not far from the 
starting place. ) 

“And now,” said Utgard-Loki, turning to the 
xod Thor, ‘“‘what can you do to show proof of that 
orowess you claim?’ 

Thor responded that he would try a drinking 
match with anyone. The king then bade his cup- 
yearer bring a large drinking horn. This he pre- 

[97 





IN THE -LIGHWD SO eer 


sented to Thor, saying, ‘“A good drinker will empty 
my horn at a single draft, though most men make 
two of it; but the puny drinker can do it in three.” 

Thor set the horn to his lips and pulled as long 
and deeply as he could, but still the liquor came up 
almost to the rim. He tried a second and a third 
draft only to find that the horn was still too nearly 
full to be carried easily without spilling. The king, 
laughing, returned the horn to his cupbearer and pro- 
posed a new test. 

‘‘We have a very trifling game here, in which we 
exercise none but children. It consists in merely 
lifting my cat from the ground.” 

Thor was by this time scarlet with rage and hv- 
miliation. He approached the large gray cat that 
came leaping into the room, and did his utmost to 
raise it from the floor. The cat, bending its back, 
withstood Thor’s eftorts, only one of its feet being 
lifted from the ground. 

But Thor was still unvanquished; he challenged 
someone to wrestle with him. ‘The king then de- 
clared him a persistent braggart and called in his 
old nurse, Elli, as the only wrestler worthy of so 
puny an adversary. ‘This struggle was also vain, for 
the more Thor fastened his hold on the old crone 
the firmer she stood, until in the end the god lost his 
footing and was brought down on one knee. 

At last the visitors declared themselves defeated 
and the giants feasted them at a great banquet. 
Early the next morning, as Thor and his companions 


98 | 





Mesiento.) OF THE NORTH 


took their leave, Utgard-Loki accompanied them to 
the city gates and explained how he had deceived 
them with enchantment ever since they had come 
within the borders of Jotunnheim. ‘I am the giant 
whom you met on your way hither,” he said. “The 
three hammer blows would have killed me had I not 
drawn a mountain over me, but in that mountain are 
three deep valleys cleft in the rocks by the strokes 
of the hammer. The wallet which you could not 
open was fastened with a magic chain. Logi, with 
whom Loki contended, was Fire, in disguise, consum- 
ing all before it. ‘Thialfe’s competitor was Thought, 
who exceeds the pace of all runners. As for your 
tests, friend Thor, the horn from which you drank 
was Ocean itself; the cat whose paw you actually 
lifted, the Midgard Serpent that twines round the 
earth; and Elli, with whom you wrestled, none other ) 
than Old Age who overpowers all men.” 

Upon hearing these words the infuriated Thor 
raised his hammer; but Utgard-Loki had vanished, 
and when the god would have returned to the giant’s 
city to destroy it, he found nothing about him but a 
fair, broad plain. 

The travelers turned their steps toward Asgard; 
the journey to Jotunnheim was ended. 





[ 99 


BALDER AND THE MISTLETOE 


I heard a voice that cried, 

“Balder the Beautiful 

Is dead, 1s dead!’ 
LONGFELLOW 

Balder, son of Odin, and god of sunlight, spring, 
and gladness, was fairest, best loved, and most 
praised of the gods. Gracious and eloquent was he; 
light radiated from his shining face, and within his 
dwelling nothing impure could live. 

One night Balder had a strange and terrible 
dream indicating that his life was in danger. When 
he told his dream to the gods, they became alarmed. 
Odin, mounting Sleipnir, rode to Hela’s domains 
there to find that gloomy preparations were already 
being made for Balder’s coming. The gods then 
resolved to conjure all things to avert the threatened 
danger. Queen Frigga, Balder’s mother, traveled 
over the world exacting an oath from earth and 
water, fire and metals, trees, birds, beasts, and ser- 
pents. All gave promise to do no harm to Balder. 

Upon Frigga’s return there was great rejoicing 
in Asgard and the gods amused themselves with 
flinging all manner of things at Balder, since neither 
sticks nor stones nor any other weapons could harm 
him. Everyone enjoyed this game but Loki, who, 
jealous of Balder, and vexed that no harm could 
- come to him, stood apart brooding. Presently the 
mischief-maker could endure it no longer; he as- 


100 | 





Meee OF THE NORTH 


sumed the guise of a gaunt old woman and made his 
way to the palace of Queen Frigga. 

‘Have all things sworn to spare Balder?”’ ques- 
tioned the hag. 

“All things,” said Frigga, ‘‘except the mistletoe 
that grows in the meadows west of Valhalla. I 
thought it too young and too harmless to exact its 
promise.” | 

The old woman departed and the false Loki in 
his own form hastened to procure a tiny sprig of 
the mistletoe. With it he returned to the assembled 
gods and cautiously approached the blind god, 
Hoder, whom he found taking no part in the sport. 
“Come,” said he, ‘“‘do thou as the rest do, and show 
honor to Balder by throwing this twig at him. I 
will direct thy arm toward the place where he 
stands.” 

Hoder took the seemingly innocent missile, and, 
guided by Loki, directed it straight at Balder. As 
the mistletoe struck, Balder fell down lifeless, 
pierced through and through. 

Dumb with amazement and sorrow stood the 
gods on Ida-Plain. Then they gave vent to their 
grief with loud lamentations. ‘“Balder the Beautiful 
is dead,” echoed the cry through all the world. But 
the greatest sorrow was that of Frigga, mother of 
the gods. 

To his son Hermod the Swift, Odin then gave 
Sleipnir, bidding him ride to the abode of the dead 
and there offer ransom for the return of Balder. 

[ 101 





IN’ THE LIGH )0 ieee 


For the space of nine days and nine nights through 
long dark glens rode Hermod, until he reached the 
barred gates of Hel which Sleipnir cleared with a 
tremendous leap. Within, Hermod found his 
brother Balder occupying one of the highest seats in 
Hela’s dominions. But the Queen of Death refused 
to allow Balder to return with Hermod until she 
had proof that all things in the world mourned for 
him. “If any one thing speak aught against him, 
or refuse to weep,’ she said, “he shall be kept in 
Sahel ae 

Hermod rode back to Asgard, and the gods dis- 
patched messengers throughout the world bidding all 
things weep that Balder might be delivered. All 
things both living and dead complied with the re- 
quest, save one. An old giant woman (it was Loki 
in disguise) sitting in her gloomy mountain cavern, 
refused to weep any except dry tears, and declared 
that Hela should keep her prey. Thus was Balder 
prevented from returning to Asgard. The unforgiv- 
ing gods later punished Loki as he deserved; but 
the blind god Hoder was distraught with grief, and, 
loathing to meet the other gods, fell upon his up- 
right sword and died. 

Balder’s brothers lifted up his body and bore it 
down to the seashore. There on board his own 
ship, Hringham, the largest in the world, they built 
a monstrous funeral pile and on it laid the hero’s 
arms and gold. Balder’s horse with his jeweled trap- 
pings was also taken aboard the ship to be burned 
102 | 





Peete OF LHE NORTH 


in the flames with his master. All the gods of As- 


gard as well as the dwarfs of the mountains and 
“many of the giants of Jotunnheim assembled to 


mourn the passing of Balder and to witness the burn- 


ing of his funeral pile. The strength of the gods not 


being sufficient to push the great ship out from the 


shore, a messenger to Jotunnheim brought the giant- 
ess, Hyrrokin, fast riding upon a wolf with a viper 
for a bridle. With one great thrust Hyrrokin 


launched the ship; sparks shot from the flint stones 


beneath it, and the whole earth trembled. 


Balder’s body was then borne out to the ship and 
beside him was placed Nanna, his wife, who had 
died of grief for her husband. Thor consecrated 
the pyre with his hammer, and Odin laid on the 
breast of Balder his precious ring, Draupnir, gift of 
the dwarfs. ‘Then, in the presence of the great as- 
sembly of mourners, the flames were kindled, and 
the burning ship with its heavy burden drifted out 
to sea. The weeping gods lingered on the shore 
while the sun went down. Carried on the distant 
waters the burning ship flared fainter and farther 
away, until with a shower of sparks that reddened 
the sea, it sank beneath the waves. ‘The wind fell 
with the coming of night, the stars came out, and all 
was still. 





BEOWULF 


To scenes of noble daring still he turned 


His ardent spirit — for he knew no fear. 
FIRDAUSI 


I. THE MonstTEeR GRENDEL 


Hrothgar, ruler of the Danes, built a lordly 
mead-hall where he and his men could find pleasure 
in feasting, drinking mead, and hearing the songs 
of the minstrels. Heorot it was called, and when 
its high spires rose glistening in the air, all hailed it 
with delight. 

But alas! The melody of the harp and the shouts 
of the warriors penetrated to the dismal fen where 
lay concealed the monster Grendel. The haunt of 
Grendel was a mile-wide mere. Around it were 
wolf-haunted cliffs, windy promontories, mist-cov- 
ered mountains. Close around’ the mere hung the 
woods, shrouding the water, which, horrible sight, 
was each night covered with fire. It was a place 
accursed; near it no man might dwell; the deer that 
plunged therein straightway died. 

To Grendel’s palace under the mere came the 
sound of the feasting in Heorot. At night when 
the warriors lay sleeping, came Grendel, creeping to 
the hall, and bore away in his foul hands thirty of 
the honored thanes. Great was the sorrow. in 
Heorot when in the morning twilight the deed of 





From Kate Mrtner Rasr’s National Epics published by A. C. McClurg 
& Company, Chicago. 


104 | 





Mees OHS DHE NORTH 


Grendel became known. For twelve long winters 


_ did these ravages continue; for so long a time was 
_ Hrothgar plunged in grief; for so many years did 


the beautiful mead-hall, destined for joyful things, 


stand idle. 
While Hrothgar brooded over his wrongs, and 


the people vainly besought their idols for aid, the 
tidings of Grendel’s deeds were conveyed to the 


court of the Gothic king, Higelac, and to the ears of 
his highborn thane, Beowulf. A strong man was 


- Beowulf, his grasp equal to that of thirty men. 


Straightway commanded he a goodly ship to be 
made ready, chose fifteen of his bravest Goths, and 
swiftly they sailed over the swan-path to the great 
headlands and bright sea cliffs of the Scyldings. 
High on the promontory stood the guard of Hroth- 
gar. ‘What men be ye who hither come?” cried he. 

‘Higelac’s man am I,” answered the leader, “my 
name, Beowulf. Lead me, I pray thee, to thy lord, 
for I have come overseas to free him forever from 
his secret foe, and to lift the cloud that hangs over 
the stately mead-hall.”’ 

Over the stone-paved streets the warder led the 
warriors, their armor clanking, their boar-tipped hel- 
mets sparkling, to the goodly hall, Heorot. There 
were they warmly welcomed, for Hrothgar had 
known Beowulf’s sire; the fame of the young man’s 
strength had also reached him, and he trusted that 
in his strong grasp Grendel should die. 

All took their seats on the mead-benches, and a 

[ 105 





IN’ THE . CIGH TO w eee 


thane passed from warrior to warrior bearing the 
chased wine cup. Decked with gold, Queen Wal- 
theow passed through the hall, greeted the warriors, 
and proftered the mead-cup to Beowulf. Sweet was 
the minstrel’s song and the warriors were happy in 
Heorot. 

When dusky night fell, the king uprose. “To no 





NE’ER HAD GRENDEL A FOE LIKE THIS! 


other man would I have entrusted this hall of gold. 
Have now, and keep it! Great reward shall be thine 
if thou come forth alive!” 

The knights remaining in the hall composed 
themselves for slumber, all save Beowulf, who, un- 
armed, awaited the coming of Grendel. He came 
with wrathful step and eyes aflame, bursting open 
the iron bolts of the great door, and laughing at the 


106 | 








MYTHS OF THE NORTH 


goodly array of men sleeping before him. On one 
he laid hands and drank his blood; then he clutched 
the watchful Beowulf. 

Ne’er had Grendel a foe like this! Fearful, he 
turned to flee to his home in the fen, but the grip of 
Beowulf forbade flight. Strongly was Heorot 
builded, but many a gilded mead-bench was torn 
from the walls as the two combated within the hall. 
At last, with a scream that struck terror to every 
Dane’s heart, the monster sprang from Beowulf and 
fed, leaving in the warrior’s grasp his arm and shoul- 
der. Great was Beowulf’s joy, for he knew that the 
wound meant death. 

When the king and queen came forth in the 
norning with their nobles and maids, and saw the 
zrisly arm of Grendel fastened upon the roof of 
Aeorot, they gave themselves up to rejoicing. Gifts 
were heaped upon Beowulf — a golden crest, a ban- 
aer bright, a goodly sword and helm and corselet, 
tight steeds with headstalls ornamented with gold 
slate, and a richly decorated saddle. Nor were his 
somrades forgotten, but to each was given rich gifts. 

When the mead-hall had been cleansed and re- 
itted, they gathered therein and listened to the songs 
of the minstrels. Then the queen, crowned with 
zold, gave gifts to Beowulf: Two armlets, a neck- 
ace, raiment, and rings. When the feasting was 
over, the king and Beowulf withdrew, leaving many 
earls to keep the hall. Little guessed they that one 
»f them was that night doomed to die! 

[ 107 








IN -THE LIGH VY 90 Yee 





Il. GRENDEL’s MOTHER 


From her dwelling place under the mere the foul 
mother of Grendel now came forth to avenge the 
death of her son, and snatched away from the group 
of sleeping Danes, A‘schere, dearest of thanes to 
Hrothgar. Loud was Hrothgar’s wailing when at 
morning Beowulf came forth from his bower. 

“Sorrow not, O wise man,’ spake Beowulf. “I 
will this day rid thee of thine enemy.” 

Accompanied by Hrothgar, some of the Danes, 
and his Goths, Beowulf sought the dismal mere, on 
whose brink they found the head of /#schere. 
Among the bloody waves swam sea-drakes, horrible 
shapes, that fled at a blast of the war horn. Beowulf 
slew one of the monsters, and while his companions 
were marveling at the bloody form, he prepared 
himself for the combat. His breast was guarded by 
a coat of mail woven most cunningly; upon his head 
shone the gold-adorned helmet and in his hand was 
the sword Hrunting, made of iron steeped in twigs 
of bitter poison, annealed in battle blood, and fear- 
ful to every foe. 

“Hearken unto me, O Hrothgar,” cried the 
hero. “If I return not, treat well my comrades and 
send my gifts to Higelac.”” And without waiting for 
a reply, he leaped into the waves and was lost to 
sight. | 

There was the monster waiting for him; and 
catching him in her grip, she dragged him into her 
108 | 





Weta OF THE NORTH 


cave, in whose lighted hall he could see the horrible 

features of the woman of the mere. Strong was 
‘Hrunting, but of no avail was its mighty blade 
against her. Soon he threw it down, and gripped 
her, reckless of peril. She drew her glaive to pierce 
his breast, but strong was the linked mail, and Beo- 
wulf was safe. Then his quick eye lighted on a 
sword; few men could wield it. Quickly he grasped 
it and smote the neck of the sea-woman. Down she 
fell, dead. Then Beowulf looked around the hall 
-and saw the body of the dead Grendel. Thirsting to 
take his revenge, he smote him with his sword. Off 
flew the head; but when the red drops of blood 
touched the magic blade, it melted, leaving but the 
massive golden hilt in the hands of the hero. Beo- 
wulf took no treasure from the cave, but rose 
through the waves, carrying only the head of the 
monster and the hilt of the sword. 

When Hrothgar and his men saw the mere red 
and boiling with blood, they deemed that Beowulf 
was dead and departed to their citadel. Sorrowing 
sat the comrades of Beowulf, waiting and hoping for 
his reappearance. Up sprang they when they saw 
‘him, relieved him of his bloody armor, and con- 
ducted him to Hrothgar, bearing with them the head 
‘of Grendel. | 
: When Hrothgar saw the hideous head and the 
‘mighty sword hilt, whose history he read from its 
oa inscriptions, he hailed Beowulf with joy and 
‘proclaimed him the mightiest of men. 
| [ 109 
| 


IN THE LIGHT. OF hie 


After a night’s rest Beowulf prepared to return 
to his country. The old king, weeping, bade him 
farewell. ‘Peace be forever between the Goths and 
the Danes! In common their treasures! May gifts 
be interchanged between them!” ‘The bark was 
filled with the gifts heaped upon Beowulf and his 
men; and the warder, who had hailed them so 
proudly at their coming, now bade them an affec- 
tionate farewell. Over the swan-path sailed they, 
and soon reached the Gothic coast. 

To Higelac, after he had related his adventures, 
Beowulf presented the boarheaded crest, the battle 
mail and sword, four of the steeds, and much treas- 
ure; and upon the wise and modest Queen Hygd be- 
stowed he the wondrous necklace given him by 
Queen Waltheow. So should a good thane ever do! 

When Higelac died Beowulf succeeded to the 
throne, and for fifty years ruled the people glori- 
ously. 





110 | 





mere Ob THE NORTH 


II]. THe Frre-DRAKE 


At this time a great fire-drake cherished a vast 
ooard in a cave ona high cliff, dificult of access, and 
known to few men. Thither one day fled a thrall 
from his master’s wrath, and saw the hoard buried 
dy some weary warrior, and now guarded by the 
dragon. While the drake slept, the thrall crept in 
and stole a cup as a peace offering to his master. 
The drake awoke, scented the footprints of the foe, 
and discovered his loss. When even was come, he 
hastened to wreak his revenge on the people, spew- 
ng out flames of fire and laying waste the land. 

Ere long, tidings were borne to Beowulf that his 

xreat hall, his gift-seat, was destroyed by fire. Turn- 
ng his mind to vengeance, he girded on his armor 
ind bade farewell to his hearth mates. ‘“‘Many 
imes have I battled; now must I go forth with hand 
and sword against the hoardkeeper.”’ 
_ Proudly went Beowulf forth shouting his battle 
try. Out rushed the dragon, full of deadly hate. 
lis fiery breath was stronger than the king had 
deemed it. Stroke upon stroke he gave his enemy, 
vho continued to cast forth his death fire, so that 
3eowulf stood girt with flames. From afar among 
| he watching thanes, Wiglaf saw his monarch’s peril. 
Xushing forward, he cried, “Beowulf, here am I!” 
Again and again Wiglaf smote the monster, and 
‘vhen the flames burnt low, Beowulf seized his dirk 
ind pierced the dragon so that he fell dead. 
Bag 
| 


} 
} 





IN THE LIGHT) 4@ 030 a 


The dragon lay dead, but Beowulf felt the poi- 
son in his wounds and knew that he had not long to 
live. He commanded Wiglaf to bring forth his 
treasure that he might gaze upon the hoard — jewel 
work and twisted gold, rings, cups, banners, dishes 
—that he had wrested from the fire-drake. All 
these did Wiglaf bear forth to his lord, who sur- 
veyed them and uttered thanks to his Maker that he 
could win such a treasure. Then, giving his arms to 
Wiglaf, he said, ““Now I die. Build for me upon 
the lofty shore a bright mound that shall ever re. 
mind my people of me. Far in the distance their 
ships shall descry it, and they shall call it Beowulf’s 
mound.” 

Sorrowing the people came to the hoarding place 
and found there the dead monarch. ‘There, too, 
lay the loathsome fire-drake, full fifty feet long, and 
between them the great hoard, rust-eaten from long 
dwelling in the earth. 

Down from the cliff they thrust the dragon into 
the deep. Then they built a lofty pile and burned 
thereon the body of their glorious ruler. According 
to his wish, they reared on the cliff a broad high 
barrow, surrounded it with a wall, and laid within 
it the treasure. Around the barrow rode twelve of 
the bravest nobles, mourning their king, chanting a 
dirge, and telling of his glorious deeds, while ovet 
the broad land the Gothic people lamented the death 
of the mighty warrior, the good ruler, their noble 
king, Beowulf. 
nto 


THE WEDDING FEAST* 


These the legends we will tell you: 
How in Pohjola they feasted, 
And the drinking bout was godlike. 


KALEVALA 


Food and drink were in the making for a great 

feast of the people in the misty land of Pohja. 
Lengthy were the preparations, for the far-famed 
maid of Pohja was to wed the hero craftsman, I[]- 
marinen, mighty forger. 
_ To supply the meat for feasting, many servants 
of Pohjola brought an ox from far Karjola. Horn 
to horn a thousand fathoms was this ox of size stu- 
pendous, and his back the clouds were touching as 
he grazed along the roadside. 


For a week there ran an ermine 
All along the yoke he carried. 

All day long there flew a swallow 
Twixt the mighty ox’s horn-tips. 
Month long ran a summer squirrel 
From his neck unto his tail-tip. 


Now the people began searching for a butcher 
for this marvel — searched in Russia and in Sweden 
and through all the vast wide region of the mighty 
eoeor Lurea. Then, at last, there rose a hero 
from the billows of the ocean. *Iwas an old man, 
small and wizened, shod and helmeted with iron. In 

* This story is taken from Kalevala (The Land of Heroes), the 


ational epic of Finland. Kalevala was the inspiration for Long- 
tellow’s American idyl, Hiawatha, and the source of its meter. 


errs 


IN THE LIGH TV 30eeee 


his hand he brought a sharp knife, golden-bladed, 
copper-hafted, and with this he felled the bullock 
and prepared the meat for banquet. 

While the mistress in the great hall pondered 
deeply on the problem of the ale for all the drinkers 
at this wedding feast of Pohja, an old man related 
to her all the process of the brewing, for he knew 
the magic story — how the ale was first concocted. 

“Once by chance a barley sprouted in a new- 
ploughed field of Osmo, and its slender stalk shot 
upward to a fair and leafy summit. One day Osmo- 
tar, a maiden, first of all the ale-constructers, heard 
some hops from out a tree top —from their vine 
within the tree top — and the water in a deep well 
join the barley in exclaiming, ‘When shall we be 
yoked together?’ Hearing this the maiden gathered 
grains from off the stalk of barley and the tassels 
from the hop vine, adding to them fresh clear water 
from the deep well of Kaleva. Long she boiled the 
mixture gently, storing it in tubs of birchwood. But 
the maid had many trials ere the drink was brought 
to foaming. First the white squirrel, flower of 
woodlands, brought her cones from off the pine tree 
and the tassels from the fir tree. Then the golden- 
breasted martin flew within a steel-hard mountain 
and returned with foam exuded from the lips of 
fighting bears. All of these the maiden added, but 
the ale was not fermented. Then the bee, the king 
of flowers, visiting an unmowed meadow, soaked his 
wings with golden honey from the tips of brightest 
114 | 





MYTHS OF THE NORTH 


verbage. This he brought back to the maiden and 
she placed it in the mixture. Now the new-made ale 
‘oamed upwards, rushing over all the edges of the 
urchwood tubs that held it. Loud a thrush sang 
rom a rooftree, ‘Tight within the casks now store 
iG— best of drinks for prudent people.’ Thus was 
ue at first created.” 

When the mistress heard this story she was glad, 
ind calling servants, built a great fire on the head- 
ands, like unto the fire of battle. Soon her helpers, 
uired for money, felled the great trees for the fire, 
yrought the barley and the water and the hops as 
sach was needed: All the air was filled with vapor 
ind for months the stones were glowing, till within 
he rocky cellars, safe in casks of oak and copper, all 
the ale was stored and ready for the drinking of the 
yeople at the wedding feast of Pohja. 

_ As the wedding day drew nearer there arose a 
‘tir and clatter in the great hall of Pohjola — por- 
‘idge stirring, great loaves baking, kettles singing, 
stewpans hissing —for the banquet now preparing 
‘or the young and lovely daughter. 

Then the handmaid of the mistress bid the guests 
‘rom all directions, calling, too, the poor and lowly: 
‘Let the blind be brought in rowboats, and the lame 
mes ride on horseback, and the cripples coast on 
iledges!” For the singing at the banquet, Vaina- 
‘nOinen, famous minstrel, came with legends of the 
‘nest, and his voice was sweetest, strongest, of all 
singers in Pohjola. 





[ 115 


IN THE - LIGHT +O Fear H 


Guests arrived from all directions and the sound 
was like a great wind, like sea billows madly break- 
ing. Past the well the sledges rattled and the court- 
yard filled with people. Ilmarinen, noble bride- 
groom, brought a mighty host of people, and among 
them the great craftsman showed like moon mid 
stars in heaven. Black his steed was, black as raven, 
and upon the shafts and runners of his sledge rode 
glistening songbirds. 

Servants took the bridegroom’s courser. With 
great care they loosed his traces and his copper- 
plated harness, let him roll on the smooth meadow 
where the drifted snow was whitest, let him drink 
beneath the pine trees where the spring gushed forth 
unfrozen. ‘Then they led the coal-black courser to 
the choicest of the stables, curried him with bone of 
walrus, bedded him with golden fodder. For his 
food soft hay they left him, with ripe oats and meal 
of barley. 

Household servants met the bridegroom. Ah, 
the doors of Pohja’s mansion were too low for such 
a hero! So they lifted up the crossbars as the noble 
youth made entrance, also moved away the door- 
posts that the door might swing more widely. When 
he saw the hall of Pohja, well pleased was the happy 
bridegroom. All the smooth planks of the flooring, 
water-scoured, were clean and shining. Bones of 
hedgehog, deer, and glutton formed the strong walls 
and the siding. Posts and beams were curving birch- 
wood; scales of bream composed the ceiling. Near 


116 | 





Meri OF THE -NORTH 





‘the hearth, built up of boulders, stood the stove- 
‘bench made of iron, and the stove shone bright with 
‘copper. “Blessings grant thee, O Jumala, bless- 
‘ings grant to all the people underneath this noble 
rooftree,’’ was the prayer the bridegroom uttered, 
jas the flame from waxen candles threw the light o’er 
all the mansion. 

| Pohja’s mistress led the bridegroom to a seat 
‘among the highest, amid guests the most distin- 
‘guished. There he took his seat beside them, facing 
jall the shouting people. By him sat the gentle 
‘maiden, far-famed maiden of Pohjola, now the peer- 
less bride of Pohja. 

| Then the people at the banquet feasted in a royal 
‘fashion on the cream-cakes, bread and butter, ox- 
‘meat, salmon, pork, and sausage — dishes filled to 
overflowing, Ale was brought by hiréd servants and 
‘passed round in five-hooped tankards till the beards 
of guests were whitened by the swelling frothing 
measure. 

| When the ale reached Vainamoinen, he, the great- 
a of the minstrels, urged the people on to singing. 
Then he spoke his words of wisdom, sang his leg- 
ends and traditions, till the men were in good 
humor and the women all were laughing. Last of 
ull he called down blessings from Jumala, the Cre- 
itor, on the hostess and her children, on the lovely 
oride and bridegroom, and on all the guests who 
feasted at the happy wedding banquet in the Man- 
sion of Pohjola. 


| [ 117 


| 
, 
| 








THE RING OF THE NIBELUNGS 


Not goods nor gold 
Nor glory of gods 
Can fashion a blessing for weal, 
Can win a blessing from woe — 
But Love alone! 
WAGNER 


I. THE RHINEGOLD 


Deep down among jutting black rocks in the bed 
of the river Rhine lay hidden a magical treasure of 
gold more wonderful than any of the Nibelung 
hoards or the possessions of the gods themselves. 
For ages this hidden wealth had belonged to the 
Rhine-daughters, three mermaids who carefully 
guarded it. When the’ sun shone down upon their 
treasure, the gray-green water was filled from depth 
to depth with golden light. In and out among the 
rocks through this shimmering changeful light the 
happy mermaids darted, the sound of their singing 
mingling with the soft ripples of the sunlit water. 
The Rhine-daughters feared nothing, for the passing 
years had never made them old nor weary nor sad. 

In the early morning twilight, one tragic day, a 
strange visitor came to this happy water home. It 
was Alberich, an ugly dwarf of the race of the 
Nibelungs who dwelt in the caves beneath the moun- 
tains. Hiding himself in the dark cleft of a rock, 
he watched with increasing pleasure the mermaids at 
their play. Presently his coarse and sudden laugh 
startled the beautiful water nymphs, who swam in 
118 | 


’ 


| 





| mereetieoe wor HE. NORTH 
vaste and affright to the great rock where the gold 
yay stored. Alberich addressed them, then clumsily 
‘trove to catch them; but the maidens tantalized him 
oy easily escaping his grasp while mockingly luring 
nim on. Vainly the sluggish dwarf wooed them each 
id turn. He was becoming infuriated when his rage 
lvas suddenly turned to wonder. The rising sun had 
-ouched the water, and from the summit of the cen- 
/ral rock in the river bed filtered a brightening glow 
—the Rhinegold kindling to splendor in the light of 
he morning sun! 

The happy maidens now invited their seemingly 
armless visitor to bathe in the glow of the Rhine- 
old, and fearlessly sang out to him the secret of 
mepower. lis a. golden charm! A _ world’s 
vealth! He who the love of woman forswears, and 
f ‘ashions a ring from some of yon gold, can be mas- 





| 





er and lord of the earth.”’ 

So thus lightly sang the mermaids, and in a trice 
: he dazed wonder of the ugly dwarf had changed to 
xreed and ambition. With a loud cry renouncing 
ove forever, he clambered up the tall black rock, 
core the gold from its resting place, and, diving deep 
nto the river bed, disappeared into the fissures of 
the earth. As the gold vanished the sun was hid. 
From the depths of Nibelheim echoed the mocking 
aughter of Alberich, in answer to the Rhine-daugh- 
‘ers’ cry of despair that rose from the green darkness 
ot the water. 


*K *K > * ** 





[ 119 





IN THE LIGH [9 Oto r 


Meanwhile there was trouble in heaven. At th 
advice of Loge (Loki), god of fire and mischief 
maker, Wotan (Odin) had engaged the giant broth 
ers Fasolt and Fafnir to build for him, in a sing) 
night, the wonder palace of Valhalla. As a rewar¢ 
to the builders, Wotan had promised to give then 
Freia, the fair goddess of spring and love, wh« 
tended the celestial gardens, and whose apples eater 
by the gods conferred upon them immortal youth 
But now that the palace stood complete with glis 
tening pinnacles, Freia wept in fear of the giants 
and the gods refused to part with the bright goddes: 
and her magic apples of life. Accordingly Wotar 
sent Loge to earth to seek for a ransom for Freia 
But Loge returned, having searched to the ends o: 
the world amid the forces of earth, air, and water 
and having found nothing so rich or mighty thai 
giants or men would prefer it above the worth o! 
Freia. ‘“There remains but one thing,” said thi 
mischief-maker, ‘‘the ruddy gold!” 

Loge told of the marvels of the Rhinegold anc 
related how Alberich, forswearing love, had stoler 
the treasure and now ruled the underworld by virtué 
of a ring that he had fashioned from some of it 
The giants forthwith agreed that they would accep! 
the Ring in lieu of Freia; but they bore the goddess 
away with them. until the ransom should be paid. 

At Freia’s departure a mist fell upon heaven 
the apples of youth decayed, and the gods grew olc 
and gray. 

120 4 





| 
: Veviis OF THE NORTH 
l 
“Up!” cried Wotan to Loge, “Let us away to 
‘Nibelheim, there to seek the golden ransom that 
‘shall redeem our youth and love.” 
_ In Nibelheim Alberich had amassed a great for- 
‘tune through the magic of the Ring. As a proud 
_and cruel tyrant he ruled over his fellow dwarfs who 
‘cowered in fear of him and groaned under his tyr- 
‘anny. He had forced his brother Mime to forge 
‘for him the Tarnhelm —a wishing cap by whose 
“magic the wearer might travel through space, assume 
\whatever form he pleased, or make himself in- 
‘visible. In this helmet the invisible tyrant could ad- 
minister scourgings upon his terrified subjects at will. 
To Alberich in the flush of his riches and power 
‘came Wotan and Loge, politely requesting the Nibe- 
lung lord to exhibit the virtues of the Tarnhelm. 
First, Alberich transformed himself into a loathsome 
dragon which the gods pretended to fear. At their 
‘requesting him to appear as something small, he 
changed himself into a toad, whereupon Wotan 
‘stepped upon him and Loge seized the Tarnhelm. 
‘The gods then bound the writhing dwarf and 
‘dragged him, together with his treasure, to Valhalla, 
where, as a price for his liberty, they forced him to 
‘deliver up the golden hoard, the Tarnhelm, and the 
‘Ring. But ere the baffled Nibelung departed, he 
laid a terrible curse upon the Ring, pronouncing mis- 
ery and death to each of its possessors until it should 
return to the Nibelungs. 

The giants, true to their promise, released Freia, 





[121 





IN ‘THE ,CIGH DOr ee ee 


but they claimed not only the gold and the Tarn- 
helm, but the Ring as well. Fearing the power of 
the Ring in the hands of the giants, Wotan was loath 
to part with it, but as he hesitated, Erda, the all- 
wise Earth Mother, beloved of the father of the 
gods, arose from a deep valley and bade him yield 
the coveted Ring and flee its dread curse. Wotan 
yielded it, and the giants no sooner obtained it than 
the curse began. In a quarrel over the possession 
of the Ring, Fafnir killed his brother and fled in 
haste to a far cave, where, in the form of a mon. 
strous dragon, he jealously guarded his wealth. 

The gods looked on in horror. Care and fear 
fettered the soul of Wotan. Might not the giants 
now sway the whole world and storm the very gates 
of Valhalla? 

But the goddess of youth and spring had re- 
turned. Her brother Donner (Thor) came with his 
lightnings and thunder, scattering dark clouds and 
foreboding mists and sweeping the heavens clear. 
Far out among the distant peaks arose the Palace of 
Valhalla glistening in the sunlight, and before it 
flowed the silent Rhine spanned by the rainbow 
bridge. Over this bridge of promise the gods passed, 
smiling, to enter their peaceful abode, while from 
the river below came faintly the sad plaints of the 
Rhine-maidens, mourning the loss of their gold. 


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Weette Or OTHE NORTH 


Dis “DHE VALKYRIE 


In a woodland lodge built of roughly hewn logs 
and supported through the center by the trunk of a 
mighty ash tree, lived Hunding, rough chieftain of 


the Neidung clan, and his wife Sieglinde. The surly 


huntsman was greatly feared by his sad and gentle 
wife; for Sieglinde, a daughter of the hero race of 
Volsung, had been carried away by the Neidungs and 


- forced into an unhappy marriage with the leader of 
_ her kinsmen’s enemies. 


Into this rude home, one stormy night, came 
young Siegmund of the Volsungs, fleeing from his 
foes, wounded, weaponless, and spent. He had but 
staggered to the hearth and thrown himself wearily 
upon a great bearskin, when Sieglinde entered. She 
was startled at first, but immediately took compas- 


sion upon the wounded fugitive, brought him drink, 


and bade him rest. As Siegmund grew stronger the 
two talked together before the fire; the warrior look- 
ing into the sad and beautiful face of Sieglinde, 
loved her. She in turn admired Siegmund’s noble 
bearing, for she recognized in him her father’s race. 
Secretly she hoped he would rescue her from the 
Neidungs. 

Then Hunding entered. His face darkened with 


angry suspicion as he demanded the stranger’s name 


and fortune. Siegmund withheld his name but dis- 


closed his race. Hunding, having already noted the 


racial resemblance between Siegmund and Sieglinde, 


[ 123 


IN. THE. DLGH ) \ 30 See 


now fiercely denounced his guest as a mortal enemy, 
who, though harbored for the night under the law 
of hospitality, must on the morrow die. 

The Volsung was left alone by the hearth, sad 
and perplexed. His gaze wandered to the ash tree 
whose top pierced the roof and he noted among its 
branches, gleaming under a sudden glow from the 
firelight, the hilt of a great sword. Just then Sieg- 
linde stole from an inner room where she had left 
Hunding sleeping, quite overcome by the slumbrous 
night draft she had mixed. 

Swiftly she stepped to Siegmund’s side. ‘“Thy 
coming is life!’ she cried. ‘Thou art a Volsung, a 
hero and deliverer.”’ Pointing to the sword she told 
Siegmund how on the day of her unhappy wedding 
an unknown warrior, one-eyed, low-hatted, and all 
in gray, had entered Hunding Hall and struck the 
sword deep into the ash stem, declaring that none 
but the bravest of heroes could draw it forth. 

Siegmund gave a cry of joy. He knew that the 
stranger was his own father, the first of the Vol- 
sungs, and that the sword was the magic Nothung. 
Easily he drew it forth. “I am Siegmund the Vic- 
torious!” he cried. 

‘Art thou Siegmund ?” she answered. “‘Sieglinde 
am I, whom thou winnest at once with thy sword.” 

The storm outside had long passed. Two lovers 
of a noble race plighted their troth and escaped into 
the night. | 


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IN “THE -LIGH Tio 


Wotan, the father god, armed for battle, con- 
ferred in a wild and rocky pass with the beautiful 
Valkyrie, Briinnehilde, best loved of his warrior 
maids. They talked of the fearful doom threaten- 
ing Valhalla since Fafnir, the giant dragon, guarded 
the Rhinegold treasure and the accursed Ring of the 
Nibelungs. Earnestly the god explained to his 
daughter that he had fixed his choice upon Siegmund 
the Volsung as father of a race of free heroes who 
should some day do battle for the gods. Then he 
charged the Valkyrie with an errand of life, not 
death; for that day the hero Siegmund was meeting 
the hunter Hunding in mortal combat, and therefore 
must Brtinnehilde hasten to shield the Volsung from 
his foe. The warrior Briinnehilde listened well, then 
mounted her charger, and, shouting her battle- Cry, 
disappeared over the mountain crags. 

No sooner was the Valkyrie on her way than the 
queen goddess, Fricka (Frigga), appeared in her 
ram-drawn car, and descending, approached the king 
of the yuck with anger in her eyes. She had heard 
the cry of Hunding calling for vengeance upon Sieg- 
mund, and now, as the guardian goddess of wedlock, 
she demanded the death of Siegmund in the coming 
conflict. With patience Wotan explained. Hunding 
was but a robber chieftain, and was not this Sieg- 
mund son of Volsung, and was not Volsung Wotan 
himself when he had wandered upon the earth? Let 
Nothung then, in the hands of Siegmund, slay Faf- 
nir, and the Rhinegold be returned by the Volsungs 
126 | 








Mer, OR THE NORTH 


to the mermaids; then would the children of Sieg- 
linde, fathered by Siegmund, aid the hosts of Val- 
halla against the giants and avert the dark doom of 
the gods. 

But the implacable queen Fricka would not be 
persuaded. The Valkyrie was recalled and Wotan’s 
order revoked. 

“What!” cried Brinnehilde in amazement. 
“Thou takest the magic from Nothung and from 
thy son Siegmund thy shield ?”’ 

Sorrowfully the god made answer. ‘‘Yea, though 
the Ring be won by the Nibelungs, and Valhalla be 
lost forever. My heart once greedy possessed the 
gold. Now I fly the curse, but the curse flies not me. 
Haste thee to warn Siegmund, and, the conflict 
ended, bear him safely to Valhalla, home of the 
chosen slain.”’ 

On her errand of death sped the Valkyrie. She 
soon discovered Siegmund and Sieglinde, who, 
though closely pursued by Hunding, had stopped for 
rest by the way. Hovering near, Bruinnehilde waited 
till the weary Sieglinde slept; then approaching, she 
told Siegmund of his doom and promised him hap- 
piness in Valhalla. But when the hero learned that 
Sieglinde could not join him in Wotan’s hall of 
honor, he spurned all thought of Valhalla, defying 
the king of the gods himself. 

The heart of the warrior maid was touched. 
“Thou hast taught me love,” she said. “TI shall dis- 
obey divine command and shield Sieglinde’s lover.” 


[ 127 


IN’ THE “LIGHT VO 


But in the moment of battle Wotan himself ap-. 
peared. With his own spear he shattered the magic 
Nothung in which Siegmund put his trust, and Hun- 
ding’s sword pierced the Volsung’s breast. Brtinne- 
hilde hastily gathered up the fragments of the magic 
sword, lifted Sieglinde to horse, and escaped. 





ON AN ERRAND OF DEATH SPED THE VALKYRIES 


The enraged Wotan then slew Hunding, and, 
mounting his own wild steed, raged through the skies 
in pursuit of the fleeing Valkyrie. But ere the wrath- 
ful god could overtake Briinnehilde, she had reached 
the home of the Valkyries who scattered in fear be- 
cause of the deed she had done. 

128 | 


Sly 





weet OF DHE NORTH 


Brunnehilde, undaunted, urged on the fainting 
Sieglinde. “Fly far to the east,” she implored, 
“where Fafnir guards the Nibelung hoard, for there 
will Wotan not likely pursue thee. There, too, shall 
thy son Siegfried be born, thy son and Siegmund’s. 
For him, guard well these splinters of his father’s 
sword and weld them anew, a victorious blade. Fly! 
For Siegfried in triumph shall live!” 

A moment later came Wotan, angry, but deeply 
moved, to pronounce the punishment of Brinnehilde. 
For mortal love she had defied divine command; 
now she must put off divinity, and a mortal woman, 
sleeping, become the slave of him who should 
awaken her. With tender eloquence plead the 
Valkyrie: 


“Was it so shameful, what I have done, 
That for my deed I am scourged ?” 


But Wotan remained inexorable, granting only that 
the sleeping Briinnehilde be surrounded by a wall of 
fire, which none but the bravest of heroes might 
break. 

The father god pronounced his farewell tenderly 
and laid his daughter to sleep on the mountain top, 
covering her over with her battle-shield. Striking a 
rock, he summoned Loge, the fire god, who encircled 
the spot with writhing leaping flames. 

Thus still worked the curse of Alberich upon the 
stolen Rhinegold. Alone, her godhood lost, the 
Valkyrie slept under her long steel shield. 


[ 129 


ee | 
| 
—_—— ee ———— 


IN’ THE LUG Ht eee 


III. SIEGFRIED 


Sieglinde, dying in the far eastern forest to which 
she had fled, gave to the dwarf Mime her newborn 
son Siegfried, and with him, the pieces of his father’s 
sword. Under the care of his foster parent, Sieg- 
mund’s son grew to a noble manhood — keen-eyed, 
strong-limbed, and fearless. By day he roamed the 
forest making friends of all woodland creatures, but 
at night he returned to Mime’s cave. The sly and 
crafty Mime was a brother to the ugly Alberich, he 
who was at one time Lord of the Gold. Well did 
Mime know the lineage and destiny of young Sieg- 
fried; but he kept it secret, and daily working at his 
forge, tried to remake the sword of Nothung, in the 
wicked hope that after Siegfried had slain Fafnir, 
he might poison the young Volsung and so secure the 
Ring and the immense wealth for himself. 

In the course of time there came to Mime’s cave 
in the guise of a wanderer, Wotan himself. He told 
the scheming dwarf that only he who had never 
known fear could forge anew the all-conquering 
sword. ‘The Wanderer departed, and when Sieg: 
fried returned, demanding, as was his wont, his 
father’s sword, he was told that it could be repaired 
only by him who knew no fear. ‘What is fear?’ 
asked the youth. Mime tried to explain by describ- 
ing the giant dragon Fafnir in ‘his horrible cavern, 
but Siegfried listening intently, only grew impatient 
to go at once and conquer the monster. 


130 | 


Pen OF THE NORTH 


“My father’s blade will I forge!” cried the Vol- 
sung, and straightway to the hearth he sprang, seiz- 
ing the splinters of the broken blade and dragging 
at the rope of the bellows. The forge fire bright- 
ened. Mime cowered in fear and wonder while 
Siegfried, filing, pounding, and singing the while, 
refashioned the wondrous sword. ‘The weapon 
whole, he brandished it aloft, crying, ‘‘Nothung, con- 
quering sword, again to life have I waked thee!” 
And, striking with it a furious blow, he cleaved the 
great anvil asunder. 

ee ee SR 

Not far away in his dread Cavern of Hate, Faf- 
nir drowsily guarded his wealth, and Alberich, hop- 
ing yet for a chance to secure the Ring, gloomily 
watched near by. The Wanderer visited them that 
day; he, too, still longed for the Ring. He stayed 
but to warn the unbelieving Fafnir that his slayer 
approached, and then, taunting Alberich, went his 
Way. 

In good time Siegfried and Mime arrived. The 
hero wore his great sword loosely hung in a girdle 
of rope; blithely he blew his silver hunting horn. 
The huge lizard-like dragon came forth from his 
dark cave yawning, in the hope of frightening his 
enemy, but Siegfried made answer with laughter. 
The two then joined in conflict. More than once 
Siegfried was well-nigh lost, but at last chance fa- 
vored him. ‘The dragon carelessly exposed his 

breast, and the Volsung let sink his sharp blade into 


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ee MYTHS OF THE NORTH 


‘it up to the hilt. In the moment of death Fafnir 
‘warned his slayer of the curse of Alberich which 
“would now descend upon him as possessor of the 
Ring. 
_ As Siegfried withdrew Nothung from the breast 
of the monster, some drops of burning blood fell 
“upon his hand. Instinctively he touched them with 
his lips and at once the language of the forest be- 
| “came clear to him. From a bough overhead came the 
song of a wood bird: ‘Ring, Hoard, and Tarnhelm 
for Siegfried, now Lord of the Gold! Yet beware 
the dwarf Mime, falsest of friends!”’ 
_ Siegfried had-no sooner possessed himself of 
Tarsnhelm and Ring than Mime came forward and 
with pretense of giving wholesome drink, proffered 
‘a poisonous potion. The hero struck the dwarf dead 
jat a blow and pitched his body on top of the hoard 
‘of gold which he had left untouched where it was. 
‘Then he stopped up the mouth of the Cavern of 
Hate with the grinning corpse of the dragon. Al- 
\berich, terrified, had fled from the scene, and lonely 
beneath the forest trees the hero now rested, master 
of the world. 
| As Siegfried gazed aloft into the branches he 
\heard again the notes of the wood bird. “‘A glori- 
jous bride for the Volsung have I,” trilled the song- 
ster. ‘‘On the rock of the Valkyries she sleeps, and 
|Baarded by fire is her home. Who fighteth the flames 
‘for love, waketh Pao eS and Briinnehilde he 
wins for his own.’ With joy the hero sprang up 
| [ 133 
| 








IN THE ° LIGH PaO 


and away to follow the path of the friendly bir 
now flying ahead to guide him. 

During this time Wotan had gone to consult th 
All-wise One, Erda, the Earth Mother, seeking t 
know if the doom of the gods were at hand. Bu 
the goddess had given him neither advice nor prom 
ise, and the king of heaven again fared forth as th 
Wanderer, making within his own heart a decree 
‘Even so shall the harvest not be reaped by th 
Nibelungs. To the Volsung shall be my heritage, t 
the hero chosen by me. Free from greed he won th 
Ring; and now, gladdened by love dreams, he ma 
escape its fell curse.” 

Dawn illumined the forest; Siegfried’s bird cam 
fluttering to meet Wotan, then took wing and dis 
appeared. In the path of the hero the Wandere 
stood—a god challenging a mortal to battle 
‘Once already hath that sword of thine broken o: 
the haft of this sacred weapon.” 

“My father’s slayer!” rang Siegfried’s cry, as h 
rasied the new-forged Nothung and struck to piece 
the All-Father’s spear. The Wanderer vanished 
Beyond, high up on a mountain, lay the flame-en 
circled rock! 

Siegfried, the conqueror, scaled the lifts 
Through the wall of fiercely burning flames, un 
scathed he passed, and lifted the great shield fron 
the sleeping Brinnehilde. With a kiss he awakenec 
her; and, radiant with the light of human love, th 
two, fearless, faced their destiny. 


134 | 





Peete OF THE NORTH 





| IV. THE Twiticgut oF THE Gops 


, Three figures clothed in dark and veil-like drap- 
, eries sat on the Valkyries’ rock. They wove and 
| measured the thread of destiny and as they worked 
they chanted. Norns or Fates were they, daughters 
“of Erda, holding the future in their power. They 
: “sang of the glory of Wotan and the Eternals in the 
: days when the World Ash, strong and green, shaded 
‘the Fountain of Wisdom. They sang of Brinne- 
hilde and the Rhinegold, of the strife in the world, 
_and of how one stronger than the gods had shiv- 
ered the sacred spear and overpowered their ruler. 
But when they sang of the future, the golden thread 
they were weaving suddenly snapped, and the daugh- 
ters of Erda fled like mist into the earth, down to 
their All-wise Mother who had first prophesied the 
Twilight of the Gods. 

At this time Siegfried and Briinnehilde lived in 
their mountain home upon the earth, happy in each 
other’s love. Siegfried made ready one early morn 
to go forth into the world and prove himself a hero 
among men. With a happy farewell Briinnehilde 
sent him on his way, giving him her magic armour 
and her war horse, Grane. He gave to Briinnehilde 
his Ring to keep for him as a pledge of his love. 
Their parting was full of promise and hope. Sieg- 
fried rode away down the rocky defile, and Brinne- 
hilde, watching him from the mountain height, 
heard his silver horn echoing down the valley. 

[ 135 


IN. THE . LbIGH DL) © hay 


While Siegfried was cn his way, a banquet wa: 
being held in the Gibichungs’ Hall on the banks o. 
the Rhine. King Gunther and his sister Gutrune 
rulers of the land, entertained at the feast their hal: 
brother, Hagen, the dark and treacherous son of Al 
berich the Nibelung. As the three conversed they 
talked of the hero Siegfried who had won from th 
giant Fafnir the Tarnhelm, Hoard, and Ring. Noy 
Hagen alone knew that Siegfried had ridden throug 
the flames and won the sleeping Briinnehilde, but tc 
carry out his own dark schemes for regaining th: 
Ring, he said nothing of Siegfried’s last exploit. In 
stead, he urged King Gunther to marry Brtinnehilde 
naming Siegfried as the only one who could aid hin 
in obtaining her. He further proposed that Gutrun¢ 
should win Siegfried’s love and thus easily induce th 
hero to serve her brother Gunther. 

When Siegfried arrived at the hall of the Gibi. 
chungs he was royally welcomed. Gutrune greetec 
the visitor and, directed by Hagen, gave him a magi 
drink which caused him to forget Briinnehilde. Iv 
the madness of his trance he fell in love with Gu: 
trune, who obtained his promise to help King Gun. 
ther secure Briinnehilde for his wife. Siegfried and 
Gunther departed after taking the oath of brother. 
hood, while Hagen, left alone in the hall, mused 
gloatingly: “Siegfried brings his own bride to th« 
king, and he brings the Ring to me!”’ 

Meanwhile sorrow reigned in Valhalla. At the 
bidding of Wotan the heroes had hewn the Worlc 


136 | 





Poti OO Pon HE NORTH 


Ash in pieces and piled it like firewood round the 
great hall. No more did the Valkyrie messengers 
gather the souls of the slain, for Wotan sat silent 
upon his great throne, his splintered spear in his 
hand. Only one hope remained for the world. If 
*Brinnehilde would yield from her finger the Ring, 
the gold could go back to the Rhine-daughters; then 
would the load of the curse be lifted, and the world 
and immortals be freed. 

A Valkyrie arrived in haste at the mountain 
home of Briinnehilde, beseeching her to give up the 
Ring. But the message hurled back was defiance. 
Relinquish the Ring, when, for her, one flash of its 
fire outvalued all Heaven’s delight? She would 
cherish the love pledge of Siegfried, though Val- 
halla in ruins should fall! 

Retribution was swift. A moment later, Sieg- 
fried, changed to Gunther’s form by the Tarnhelm, 
came to claim Brtinnehilde as his bride. She resisted, 
threatening him with the Ring; but he wrested the 
Ring from her and carried her to the true Gunther 
who waited by the Rhine. Then in his own form, 
the Tarnhelm at his belt, Siegfried hastened back 
to the castle to tell his false love, Gutrune, that her 
brother approached with his bride. ‘The retainers 
made ready to celebrate the double wedding of Sieg- 
fried with Gutrune, and Gunther with Brutnnehilde. 

The royal pair were received with loud acclaim. 
Brunnehilde at once perceived Siegfried, but became 
greatly alarmed when he did not recognize her. 


Wesy, 


IN THE LUGH le Otay 


Then she noticed the Ring on his finger, and turning 
to Gunther, asked for the one he had taken from 
her. ‘The king’s confusion revealed the truth to 
Briinnehilde and she loudly denounced Siegfried, 
proclaiming herself his wife. But Siegfried, still un- 
der the spell of the magic draft, swore on the point 
of Hagen’s spear that her statements were untrue. 
Gunther believed himself betrayed, and with Hagen 
plotted death vengeance upon the innocent Siegfried. 
Briinnehilde, blind in her rage, was ready to aid 
them, and explained to Hagen that the magic ar- 
mour she had given Siegfried made him invulnerable 
from a front attack only, for a hero would never 
turn his back on a foe. 

A few days after the wedding ceremonies, Ha- 
gen’s opportunity came. Siegfried, who had strayed 
from his companions on a hunting expedition, came 
to the bank of the river where the Rhine-maidens 
prayed to the sun for the return of their gold. They 
asked him for the Ring, but Siegfried only laughed 
at their demand. As they swam away they warned 
him of his fate. Just then Hagen and Gunther with 
their vassals came to the place. A banquet was 
spread, and at Hagen’s suggestion Siegfried related 
the story of his life. Suddenly, as he came to the 
awakening of Brinnehilde, he began to recount it, 
for a magic draft given him by Hagen had restored 
his memory. All the listeners started up in amaze, 
and Hagen stabbed Siegfried in the back as the hero 
called on Brtinnehilde’s name in love. 


138 | 





Peete OF, DHE NORTH 


The end followed quickly. As the sun sank low, 
the body of Siegfried was borne on a bier into the 


hall of Gunther’s castle. Here Hagen demanded 


the Ring. King Gunther, refusing it, fell — slain in 
his own hall at the hand of Hagen. But the arm of 
the dead Siegfried rose in warning as Hagen ap- 
proached to take the Ring, and the coward recoiled 
in fear. Then Brtinnehilde appeared. Long and 
sadly she gazed upon the face of Siegfried, and 
taking from his finger the Ring, dumb pledge of his 


love, she commanded that a great funeral pyre be 


built in sight of the Rhine waters. 

Night came on. High on the pyre the body of 
Siegfried was laid; Briinnehilde herself applied the 
torch. Then placing the Ring on her finger and 
calling on the Rhine-daughters to take it in turn from 
her ashes, she mounted her horse Grane and rode 


boldly into the fire. The river rose to meet the 


flames and the Rhine-daughters, appearing, re- 
claimed the Ring,.now cleansed from its curse. 
Hagen rushed forward to intercede, but was dragged 
down to his death in the flood. From a distance 
the heavens lighted up with a steady glow; Valhalla, 
too, was in flames. The loveless Ring had worked 


its curse, and the breed of the gods who had coveted 
power rather than love, gold rather than truth, was 


gone forever. 


[ 139 


LOHENGRIN 


Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the King — 
Else wherefore born? 
TENNYSON 

There 1s grievance and dissension in the province 
of Brabant, for the young duke, Gottfried, has mys- 
teriously disappeared. Since the death of their 
father, he and his sister Elsa have been under the 
care of Frederick of Telramund, noble of Brabant. 
The boy has not been seen since wandering one day 
in the forest with his sister, and Telramund charges 
Elsa herself with having killed her brother in order 
to succeed to his power and estate. “The maid is at 
first in great distress, but later she becomes dreamy 
and strange. Telramund was to have married Elsa, 
but believing her guilty, he turns against her and 
marries Ortrud, a wicked enchantress whose faith is 
with the ancient gods, Wotan and Freia. It is in- 
deed Ortrud who has, with her black art of magic, 
caused Gottfried’s disappearance, and now she uses 
her evil influence with Telramund, urging him on in 
his monstrous charge against Elsa and finally per- 
suading him to lay the grievance before the king. 

Beneath his great Oak of Justice on the green 
bank of the river Scheldt, the Saxon king assembles 
his nobles. Among them are the counts and nobles 
of Brabant, headed by Frederick of Telramund, with 
his wife Ortrud beside him. Boldly steps Telra- 
mund before the king, charging Elsa of Brabant with 


140 | 


eer el ee OC ee — 


' 








Meteo Or OTHE NORTH 


fratricide, and, as her nearest kinsman, claiming her 
lands and power. 

A great outcry arises against the accusation, for 
the Lady Elsa is gracious, and gentle, and well loved 
of her people. But Telramund is a knight of honor 
and of proven courage. ‘The king is thoughtful and 
sad. ‘Summon the maid,” is his royal command, 
“and Heaven grant that I judge her rightly.”’ 

Slowly from behind the crowd of nobles appears 
the beautiful Elsa. Her court ladies wait at the 
outer edge of the circle of justice, and she stands 
forth quite alone. The pale gold of her hair gleams 
in the sunlight; there is a mystic look in her deep 
blue eyes and her face is clouded with sorrow. Hum- 
bly she bows her head before her sovereign, and 
the king is touched by her helplessness. When he 
gently asks her to name her champion, that justice 
may be given and her honor saved, the maiden re- 
sponds as though in a dream, relating a vision of a 
knight in shining armor: 

“A horn of gold beside him, he leant upon his sword, 

Thus when I first espied him, mid clouds of light he soared; 
His words so low and tender, brought life renewed to me. 
My guardian, my defender, thou shalt my champion be!” 

Silent with amazement stand the listeners, and 
the king, greatly moved, invokes the judgment of 
God. Then he demands that the warrior knight be 
summoned by the bugle. 

Four trumpeters sound the summons, and the 


herald calls, ‘Who will here do battle for Elsa of 
[ 141 


IN THE LIGHT? 30 


Brabant?” ‘The anxious silence is unbroken. Again 
the challenge is given while Elsa sinks to her knees 
in prayer. 

Suddenly, from those standing near the water’s 
edge, acry goes up. Lo! A knight in silver shining 
raiment approaches in a boat drawn by a lovely swan 
with golden reins about its neck. The nobles crowd 
to the river bank as the mystic boat draws near to 
shore. Transcendently noble and beautiful is the 
face of the stranger knight; upon his brow is a hel- 
met of light, and his armor gleams like the sun. He 
wears his shield upon his back and a tiny horn of 
gold hangs at his side. With kind words of fare- 
well to his trusty swan, he tenders it thanks and bids 
it return to the land of dawn. 

The king and his nobles receive their mysterious 
cuest with lordly welcome, and Elsa shyly recognizes 
in him the glorious knight of her dreams. Ortrud 
alone appears troubled and fearful; she seeks to 
draw Telramund apart. 

‘‘T have come,”’ the stranger announces in a clear 
ringing voice, “‘to fight for the honor and the love of: 
this maid.’ Elsa, kneeling, accepts him as her cham- 
pion, and he asks of her a promise. ‘If I win the 
fight in thy cause, dear maid, and thou become my 
bride, never, as thou lovest me, ask my name or 
from whence I come.’ ‘Twice he repeats the condi- 
tions, and Elsa unfalteringly gives the promise. The 
knight then steps into the midst of the nobles and 
declares himself ready for the trial by arms. 


142 | 








Premeeror ober NORTH 


At once the circle of combat is prepared. The 
king first prays to Heaven that the right may con- 
quer, ther strikes three times with his sword against 
the great shield that hangs upon the oak, and the 
conflict begins. 

When the struggle is over, Telramund lies on the 
ground with the stranger’s sword point at his throat. 
Brief are the words of the victor: ‘‘Repent in 
peace!’ ‘The king cries, ‘Hail,’ and Telramund 
drags his stricken body to the feet of Ortrud. Amid 
cheering crowds Elsa renews her promise to the 
champion knight of her dreams, nor notes in the 
deep eyes of Ortrud a wicked foreboding light. 

Late on the night of the day of combat, Telra- 
mund and Ortrud, outcasts both by order of the king, 
crouch in the dark shadow of the battlements just 
beyond the palace entrance. Above, at an open win- 
dow, Elsa appears singing softly beneath the white 
moon the new joy of her life. But she hears her 
name called in the darkness below and ceases her 
song in wonder. ‘Telramund slips away while Or- 
trud calls Elsa to her side. Feigning repentance, the 
witch woman implants seeds of doubt in the young 
girl’s heart by hinting of a false glamour and magic 
surrounding the strange knight. Outwardly Elsa re- 
jects all suspicion, but at heart she is troubled. 

The light of day is welcomed by the castle trump- 
eters, their ringing dawn-calls answering each other 
from turret to turret. It is Elsa’s wedding day. A 
happy stir of preparation is heard within the palace; 


[ 143 





IN’ THE DCIGHT Qe 


across the courtyard pass knights and nobles in 
festive array. But behind the battlements, hovering 
like two evil spirits, the outcasts wait. As the wed- 
ding procession marches in stately fashion toward 
the chapel, Ortrud springs forward and confronts 
the bride. Quite beside herself with rage and jeal- 
ousy, the sorceress forgets for the moment her cun- 
ning, and pours forth words of bitterness and hate. 
Telramund, too, comes from his hiding place. He 
boldly accuses the bridegroom of sorcery, and de- 
mands to know his name and his land. The com- 
manding voice of the king is heard quieting the 
stormy scene and denouncing Jelramund. Elsa, 
frightened and unhappy, renews to the knight her 
vows of faith as the procession enters the chapel. 

The festivities are over, and the strains of the 
beautiful bridal chorus have died away. ‘Through 
the wide-open windows of the great palace chamber 
the night wind sweeps gently. The bride and bride- 
groom are alone. Now it is that Elsa shows the 
doubt that is in her heart. 


“How sweet my name as from thy lips it glided! 
Canst :thou deny to me the sound of thine?” 


In vain her husband reassures her, recalling the 
vision and her former vows of faith. Still she urges 
the question. 

Suddenly the outer door of the chamber falls 
with a crash, and Telramund, followed by four false 
nobles, enters with drawn sword. Swiftly Elsa 


144 ] 








Meese Oh pb HE NORTH 





thrusts into her husband’s hands the sword which he 
has laid aside. With it he strikes the assassin dead. 
The attendants of the castle rush in at the sound of 
battle and into their hands the knight gives his faint- 
ing bride. Ina loud voice he demands that the body 
of Telramund be taken to the Oak of Justice, for 


DTA AL PUAN 
( PSOE DIEU TN Ay 
Sr ieritetae\year tls TAY LY | V7) Steve, 
SONS TP MTD Ba WTA Sa 
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THE KING ASSEMBLES HIS NOBLES BENEATH THE GREAT OAK 


there he will justify the death of the outcast and 
make his own identity known. 

Early in the morning the king and his people 
again assemble beneath the great oak. A deathlike 
pallor is upon the face of Elsa as her husband re- 
lates the attack of Telramund and expresses sorrow 
that his wife has broken her promise. Then, in sad 
‘wonder, the people listen while the knight explains 
that he comes from the Land of the Holy Grail, 


[ 145 





IN THE : LIGH eit 


armed with high power against all evil and carrying} 
his charm to distant lands only so long as he is un-| 
known. | 
“Craft and disguise my soul disdaineth, 
The Grail sent me to right yon lady’s fame. 
My father Percival gloriously reigneth ; 

His knight am I, and Lohengrin my name!” 

A spell of enchantment fills the air. The swan is} 
seen slowly approaching from the distance. Elsa} 
cries out that all is dark about her, as Lohengrin) 
bids her a tender farewell. In her care he leaves} 
his horn, his sword, and his ring. “If thy brother} 
returns, give these to him in token of me.” 
Just as the boat draws up to the shore, Ortrud’s! 
wicked cry of triumph rings out: ‘Yonder swan is| 
the lost brother and true heir of Brabant. It was J) 
who wound the golden band around his neck!” | 
Instantly Lohengrin kneels in his boat, fervently! 
praying. All eyes are fixed upon him. From above} 
flutters the white dove of the Grail, symbol of power) 
in answer to the prayer of all true worshippers. The} 
face of the knight lights with joy as he beholds it.) 
Swiftly he loosens the golden reins about the neck! 
of the swan, and as it slowly sinks he lifts from the} 
water's depths the lost Gottfried. The youth, a fair) 
boy in shining silver raiment, rushes into his sister’s) 
arms, as the boat, mysteriously drawn on its way by| 
the dove, passes from sight. | 
Elsa sinks lifeless to the ground. Lohengrin i is 
gone forever! | 


146 | 





PRINCE CONNLA OF THE GOLDEN 


HAIR 


I shall tell you a pretty tale. 


SHAKESPEARE 


Connla of the Golden Hair was the son of Conn 


the Hundred-Fighter. One day as he stood with his 


father on the royal hill of Usna, he saw a lady a 


little way off, very beautiful, and dressed in strange 
attire. She approached the spot where he stood; 


and when she was near, he spoke to her, and asked 
who she was, and from what place she had come. 
The lady replied, “I have come from the Land 
of the Living —a land where there is neither death 
nor old age nor any breach of law. ‘The inhabitants 
of earth call us Aes-shee, for we have our dealings 


within large, pleasant, green hills. We pass our 


time very pleasantly in feasting and harmless amuse- 
ments, never growing old; and we have no quarrels 
or contentions.” 

The king and his company marveled very much; 
for though they heard this conversation, no one saw 
the lady except Connla alone. 

‘Who is this thou art talking to, my son?”’ said 


the king. 


And anon she answered for the youth, “‘Connla 
is speaking with a lovely noble-born young lady, who 


_ will never die, and who will never grow old. I love 


From P. W. Joyce’s Old Celtic Romances published by Longmans, Green 
& Company, New York City. 
[ 147 





IN THE LIGH TQ ieee 


-Connla of the Golden Hair and I have come to bring 
him with me to Moy-mell, the plain of never-ending 
pleasure. On the day that he comes with me he shall 
be made king; and he shall reign forever in Fairy- 
land, without weeping and without sorrow. Come 
with me, O gentle Connla of the ruddy cheek, the 
fair, freckled neck, and the golden hair! Come with 
me, beloved Connla, and thou shalt retain thy comely 
face and thy tall majestic form till the day, of 
judgment !” 

King Conn, the Hundred-Fighter, being much 
troubled, called then on his druid, Coran, to put 
forth his power against the witchery of the banshee. 

“O Coran of the mystic arts and of the mighty 
incantations, here is a contest such as I have never 
been engaged in since I was made king at Tara —a 
contest with an invisible lady who is beguiling my son 
to Fairyland by her baleful charms. Her cunning is 
beyond my skill, and I am not able to withstand her 
power; and if thou, Coran, help not, my son will be 
taken away from me by the wiles and witchery of a 
woman from the fairy hills.” . 

Coran, the druid, then came forward, and began 
to chant against the voice of the lady. And his 
power was greater than hers for that time, so that 
she was forced to retire. As she was going away she 
threw an apple to Connla, who straightway lost sight 
of her; and the king and his people no longer heard 
her voice. 

The king and the prince returned with their com- 
148 | 





MY CRYSTAL BOAT WILL GUARD THEE 


IN .THE  LIGH VSaG eer 


pany to the palace; and Connla remained for a 
whole month without tasting food or drink, except 
the apple. And though he ate of it each day, it was 
never lessened, but was as whole and perfect in the 
end as at the beginning. Moreover, when they 
oftered him aught else to eat or drink, he refused it; 
for while he had his apple he did not deem any other 
food worthy to be tasted. And he began to be very 
moody and sorrowful, thinking of the lovely fairy 
maiden. 

At the end of the month, as Connla stood by his 
father’s side among the nobles, on the Plain of 
Arcomin, he saw the same lady approaching him 
from the west. And when she had come near, she 
addressed him in this manner: 

“A glorious seat, indeed, has Connla among 
wretched short-lived. mortals, awaiting the dreadful 
stroke of death! But now, the ever-youthful people 
of Moy-mell, who never feel old age, and who fear 
not death, seeing thee day by day among thy friends 
in the assemblies of thy fatherland, love thee with a 
strange love; and they will make thee king over 
them if thou wilt come with me.” 

When the king heard the words of the lady he 
commanded his people to call the druid again to 
him, saying, “Bring my druid, Coran, to me; for | 
see that the fairy lady has this day regained the 
power of her voice.” 

At this the lady said: ‘‘Valiant Conn, fighter of 
a hundred, the faith of the druids has come to little 


150 | 








Peo OF ~ THE NOR’TDH 


honor among the upright, mighty, numberless people 
of this land. When the righteous law shall be re- 
stored it will seal up the lips of the false, black 
demon; and his druids shall no longer have power 
to work their guileful spells.” 
-_ Now the king observed and marveled greatly, 
that whenever the lady was present, his son never 
spoke one word to anyone, nay, even though they 
addressed him many times. And when the lady had 
‘ceased to speak, the king said, ‘‘Connla, my son, has 
thy mind been moved by the words of the lady?” 

Connla spoke then and replied, “Father, I am 
very unhappy; for though I love my people beyond 
all, yet I am filled with sadness on account of this 
lady!” 

When Connla had said this, the maiden again 
addressed him and chanted these words in a very 
sweet voice: 


“A land of youth, a land of rest, 
A land from sorrow free; 

It lies far off in the golden west, 
On the verge of the azure sea. 

Though far and dim on the ocean’s rim 
It seems to mortal view, . 

We shall reach its halls ere the evening falls, 
In my strong and swift canoe. 

And evermore that verdant: shore 
Our happy home shall be; 

The land of rest, in the golden west, 
On the verge of the azure sea! 


[ 151 





IN “THE (| LIGH Tee@ieeee 


“It will guard thee, gentle Connla of the flowing golden 
hair, | 

It will guard thee from the druids, from the demons of the 
arr 

My crystal boat will guard thee, till we reach that western 
shore, 

Where thou and I in joy and love shall live for evermore. 


“From the druid’s incantation, 
From his black and deadly snare, 
From the withering imprecation | 
Of the demon of the air, 


“Tt will guard thee, gentle Connla of the flowing golden 
naire 
My crystal boat will guard thee, till we reach that silver 
strand 
Where thou shalt reign in endless joy, the king of the Fairy-. 
land!” 7 : 
When the maiden had ended her chant, Connla 
suddenly walked away from his father’s side, and 
sprang into the currach, the gleaming, straight-glid- 
ing, strong, crystal canoe. The king and his people 
saw them afar off and dimly, moving away over the 
bright sea towards the sunset. They gazed sadly 
after them, till they lost sight of the canoe over the 
utmost verge; and no one can tell whither they went, 
for Connla was never again seen in his native land. 





152 | 











a! 








SUDDEN LIGHT 


I have been here before, — 
But when or how I cannot tell: 
I know the grass beyond the door, 
The sweet keen smell, 
The sighing sound, the lights along the shore. 


You have been mine before, — 
How long ago I may not know: 
But just when at that swallow’s soar 
Your neck turned so, 
Some veil did fall, —I knew it all of yore. 
DANTE GABRIEL ROSSETTI 


THE DESCENT OF ISHTAR 


. And the light 
Returning, Leek give back the golden hours. 


Ishtar, daughter of the moon god, turned her 
mind to the land of Hades as the region of her de- 
sire. Io recover her lover she would go there — 
she, the haughty queen of love and beauty, would 
demand an entrance into the Land of Shadows. 

In royal mien the queen goddess made her way 
to the abode of darkness and famine where men 
enter but from whence there is no return. Earth is 
the food of the dwellers therein; ghosts, like birds, 
flutter their wings there; no light is seen; and on the 
doors and gateposts the dust lies undisturbed. 

When Ishtar arrived at the gate of Hades she 
spake imperiously to the keeper of the entrance: 
“Open thy gate that I may enter! Open thy gate, 
lest I assault the door, split open the portals, and 
raise the dead to prey upon the living!” 

The keeper silenced the great Ishtar and went in 
haste to Queen Nin-ci-gal, Sovereign of Hades. To 
her he spake anxiously: “Behold, thy sister, blas- 
pheming thee with curses, demands entrance at the 
outer gate!’”’ When Nin-ci-gal heard this she grew 
pale like a flower that is cut off, and trembled like 
the stem of a reed. ‘I will repay her curses,’’ she 


From E. A. Reep’s Persian Literature: Ancient and Modern published by 
Scott, Foresman & Company, Chicago. 
[ 155 





IN. THE ~LIGH Ty 30 eee 


said. “‘I will cure her rage and fury. Haste, mes- 
sengers! Light up consuming flames! Strip the 
proud queen of her crown, her robe, and jewels, and 
let her suffer with those who died in dishonor. The 
Queen of Death welcomes the Queen of Love. 
Open the gate!” 
Within the first gate of Hades, Queen Ishtar was _ 
stayed, and from her head the great crown was 
taken. The second gate admitted her and the jew- 
eled earrings were removed from her ears. At the 
third entrance she gave up her emerald girdle; at 
the fourth, the small lovely gems from her fore- 
head; at the fifth and sixth, the golden rings from 
her hands and feet; and at the seventh and last, her 
imperial robe. The haughty queen stayed not, but | 
counting no sacrifice too dear, pressed on through 
the great gates. When the last gate was passed, the 
queen of the-land came forward to meet her sister. 
Cruelly she derided her and commanded messengers 
to afflict her with suffering and dire diseases. Ishtar | 
shrank not, but heaped afresh upon Nin-ci-gal her 


deep and bitter curses. 
*K *K *K * **K 








When the seven gates of Hades had closed upon 
the lovely form of Ishtar, the world, forsaken, 
missed the joyous presence of the goddess of love. 
The splendor was stolen from Beauty’s eyes and the 
crimson touch of life faded from her lips; fruits and 
flowers withered; doves and sunbirds no longer 
chanted their love songs in the crowns of the palm 


156 | 


eis OF THE ORIENT 


trees; and only the sorrowing night bird trilled the 
plaintive tale to the closed and weeping roses. Even 
the sky seemed to forget to light up the couch of the 
dying sun with draperies of crimson and gold, and 
all the world was shrouded in darkness and cold 
despair. The gods, too, mourned the absence of 
Ishtar. The messenger god lacerated his face and 
tore his vestments; the Sun approached and joined 
the Moon in weeping for the beautiful daughter who 
had descended into the earth and did not rise again. 

Then it was that the god Hea, deep in his ocean 
home, felt the world’s sorrow and heard the wailing 
of the gods. When in his mind he had laid a plan, he 
called to him his messenger, Phantom. ‘‘Go, Phan- 
tom!’’ he commanded. ‘Save Ishtar! Present thy- 
self at the portal of Hades. ‘The seven gates will 
open for thee, and: Nin-ci-gal will come to thee.” 

Phantom made haste to Nin-ci-gal. He named 
the dark queen with the names of the great gods, 
and entertained her with magic and conjurer’s tricks 
until, even as the god Hea devised, her mind grew 
calm and her anger cooled. ‘Clothe the Temple of 
Justice,’ she commanded her messengers. ‘‘Adorn 
the images and altars. Bring Ishtar before the 
golden throne. Pour out for her the waters of life, 
and let her depart from my dominions.” 

The seven great gates of Hades swung again 
upon their hinges; and with robe, jewels, and crown 
restored, the imperial Ishtar came forth to resume 
her sway amid the flowers of a love-lighted earth. 


E57 


RAMA AND SITA 


He is dear to me who knows Brahma . . . and 
who can play the melody of the Infinite by uniting love 


and renunciation in life. 
TAGORE 


I. THe ExIce oF RAMA 


Like unto the sovereign city of Indra’s heaven 
was the city of Ayodha in the land of Kosala. Sur- 
rounded on every hand by powerful kingdoms, she 
stood adorned with groves and towers and stately 
buildings, a queen amongst cities. She was famous 
both. for wealth and learning; her broad, clean 
streets were thronged with heroes, and her cloisters 
with scholars and saints. For a thousand years, so 
the story goes, was this city ruled by the divine 
King Rama, who was none other than Vishnu him- 
self, and his celestial queen, Sita, who was in truth 
Lakshmi, Queen of Heaven. 

King Dasaratha, father to Prince Rama, had 
prayed to the gods for a son who should overcome 
the evil spirits of the world; and he found in Rama, 
his firstborn, the answer to his prayer. King Janaka, 
father to Sita, the beautiful princess of magic birth, 
was one day ploughing for sacrifice when an infant 
sprang from the ground. He named her Sita 
(furrow), and when she had grown to womanhood, 
he promised her in marriage to the one who could 
bend his wonder-bow. He had received this bow, 


158 | 





Mees OF “THE ORIENT 


which had baffled many a lord and prince, from the 
god Siva as a reward for sacrifice. In the hands of 
Rama the weapon snapped in two, and the prince 
thereby became the successful suitor of the Princess 
Sita, peerless among women. 

Not long thereafter King Dasaratha, delighting 
in his eldest son’s virtues and accomplishments, de- 
sired to see him made king before he himself should 
die. He sent for Prince Rama, and in the presence 
of his royal council enjoined him to prepare for the 
great event by passing the night in holy rites. The 
people were delighted with their king’s intention; 
the streets of Ayodha were illuminated, and the 
night was spent in festivities. 

In the meantime a malicious servant carried the 
news of the coming coronation to Kaikeya, the 
youngest and the favorite queen of Dasaratha, and 
excited her jealousy against Rama. Bitter because 
her own son, Bharata, was not to receive the great 
honor, Kaikeya cast away her garlands and orna- 
ments, shut herself within the anger-chamber of the 
palace, and sent for the king. She refused to be 
comforted until Dasaratha gave his oath to grant 
her two boons which he had, upon former occasion, 
promised her. Then calling upon the gods to wit- 
ness the promise and oath of her husband, she de- 
manded that her son, Bharata, be crowned as prince 
regent, and that Rama be banished to the forest and 
sentenced to live for fourteen years the life of a 
hermit. 


[ 159 





IN THE LIGHT VOSS ieee 


King Dasaratha, though crazed with grief, was 
bound by his oath; and the city, so bright with joy 
the day before, was plunged in mourning as the 
ceremony arranged for Rama was performed in 
favor of Bharata. Not a shadow passed over the 
face of Prince Rama as he listened to his sentence, 
for to him a forest life was more glorious than a 
throne. Sita refused to remain behind. She loved 
the forest, and knew no danger or discontent when 
with her husband, Rama. Lakshman, Rama’s 
brother, begged to accompany them; and the three, 
clothed in the dress of ascetics, bade formal fare- 
well to the grieving king and set out for their 
life of exile in the forest. Soon after their departure 
King Dasaratha died, but Bharata, who loved above 
all others his exiled brother, refused to raise the 
royal umbrella over himself. Instead, he placed the 
sandals of Rama under the white canopy on the royal 
throne of Ayodha, and stationed himself at another 
city where he ruled the kingdom in his brother’s 


name. 









2°f 

( ) 
Ne 
[esos 
NED 


(Pree oo 
\ 
COG 
2, es hota | \ RA 
Ps rok " 2 ® iy) a 


Ree Ne OND Sy ek ee eke 
: PWS SF aa th sie ee 
Bee She ep ace wi te ¥ 










? oe} a ss to bi sor i Sat ed hae “Ag 
EVO, H Mg AA 
rr =L0) 00 D00 Dyn reso 200 0 0 eT DR 
5 v7 KA? = oo aT SNC + = 
UNNI: US 








Pee OL Po LHE ORIENT 


I]. THe CaprTure OF SITA 


The exiles, Rama, Sita, and Lakshman, built for 
themselves a humble cottage and entered happily 
upon life inthe forest. Sita cared for the home, and 
with her own fair hands served her lord and his 
brother. Armed with royal weapons, Rama and 
Lakshman ranged through the forest slaying demons 
and brigands, for Rama became the protector of all 
hermits throughout the district. At one time they 
overcame an immense giant clothed in tiger’s skin, 
and finding the monster proof against their weapons, 
they buried it alive. For ten years the happy life in 
the forest continued, and then the exiles came under 
the notice of Ravana, mighty king of Lanka and 
dread oppressor of gods and men. 

The giantess sister of Ravana, traveling in the 
forest one day, saw Rama and loved him. In order 
that she might win him she attempted to slay Sita, 
but was prevented by Lakshman, who cut off her 
‘nose and her ears. Ravana sought to avenge the 
nutilation of his sister by war, but when his army 
of giants was killed by Rama, single-handed, he de- 

sided to conquer the invincible enemy by carrying off 
che beloved Sita. Straightway he sent for the fiend, 
Waricha, and bade him at risk of his own life assist 
n the exploit. Assuming the form of a golden deer 
with spots of silver, Maricha innocently fed and 
layed in the shadow of the trees not far from the 
lermitage of Rama. Sita was immediately en- 
e [ 161 


} 
| 








IN THE 'LIGH DO yee 


chanted with the beauty of the deer, and longed to 
possess it. To please her, Rama, leaving Lakshman 
to guard the home, pursued the deer, and when from 


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RAMA PURSUED THE GOLDEN DEER 


its form arose the fiend-wizard, Maricha, he shot it. 
In the assumed voice of Rama the dying fiend cried 
out loudly, ‘Sita! Lakshman!’ While the brother 
hurried toward the spot from whence the cry pro- 
162 | 








Wee Fe THE ORLEN T 


ceeded, Ravana, who was waiting near, seized the 
defenseless Sita, and soaring like a bird of prey, 
made off toward his island kingdom in the south. 

Sita’s veil of yellow silk streamed in the wind like 
sunset clouds against the sky; her golden ornaments 
flashed toward earth like dropping stars, and her 
loosened garlands were caught up again by the whirl- 
wind of Ravana’s swift passage. The king of the 
eagles awakened from -his age-long slumber in the 
mountains at Sita’s cry for help. He came to her 
rescue, and flinging himself against the Demon King, 
received his death wound. 

When Ravana arrived at his own city he found 
that neither kind words nor cruel threats could win 
for him the love of Sita. He finally made her cap- 
tive in his palace, declaring that within two months 
she must consent to become his bride. His parting 
threat in case she still refused him was hardly love 
inspiring: 

“My cooks shall mince thy limbs with steel, 
And serve thee for my morning meal.” 


To comfort Sita in her captivity came Indra of the 
gods, sent by Brahma to assure the celestial queen 
of their sympathy and of the fact that all would yet 
be well with her husband and herself. 


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Meese OM THE: ORTENT 


Ill. THe Conquest oF RAVANA 


: Through the forest of exile, Rama, accompanied 
by Lakshman, wandered disconsolate, calling upon 
trees, mountains, and rivers to tell him what had 

Ieeppened to his loved one. In time the two came 

‘upon the dying eagle, who told them with his last . 
faint breath of the capture of Sita and of his own 
vain efforts to rescue her. Later, they met the vul- 
‘ture, wise and farseeing. In-revenge for the death 
of his brother eagle he told Rama that Sita was at 
_Lanka, a hundred leagues beyond the margin of the 
sea, and advised him to seek help of Sugriva, king 
‘of the Vanars (Monkeys). Deep in the forest 

Rama and Lakshman found the Vanars who gave 
into their hands Sita’s veil, bracelets, and anklets, 
which had fallen as her captor bore her away. King 
Sugriva agreed to call together his army for the con- 
quest of Ravana; and Hanuman, bold son of the 
“Wind God and commander in chief of the Vanar 
_ forces, volunteered to go to the Kingdom of Lanka 
/and bring back a message from the captive Sita. 
' Rama gladly accepted these offers, and entrusted to 
’ Hanuman his seal ring as a token to Sita. 

With one mighty leap the bold Vanar crossed the 
waters, and diminishing in size until he was no bigger 
than a cat, passed through the city of Lanka un- 
noticed and entered the palace grove where Sita was 
confined. Upon hearing a monkey address her, Sita 
feared enchantment, but the sight of her husband’s 


[ 165 








—— 


if 


: 
1 
| 


IN THE: LIGH T 10 ReiereioH 


ring assured her. Weeping, she placed the jewel in 
her hair and listened to all that Hanuman had to say. 
She entrusted him with one of her jewels and a mes- 
sage of love for her husband; but she refused his 
kind offer to carry her back on his shoulders, for she 
knew that to Rama must be the honor of her libera- 
. tion and the overcoming of the wicked Ravana. 
Hanuman, after destroying some of Ravana’s groves 
and temples, made the return leap to India and 
placed Sita’s gem in her husband’s hand. 

The great army of the Vanars made ready for 
the attack upon Lanka. In five days they constructed 
a bridge over the water, across which they passed in 
safety. During the long battle Rama and Lakshman 
were both dangerously wounded, but the sacred bird 
of Vishnu applied healing herbs and restored them. 
The conflict ended in a single combat between Rama 
and Ravana, in which Rama pierced the giant’s heart 
and laid him dead at his feet. Then the great doors 
of the Palace of Lanka were thrown open; the time 
had come for the release of Sita. 





166 | 


MYTHS OF THE ORIENT 


IV. Honor AND A KINGDOM 


Borne on a litter, Sita approached her lord. She 
lifted her veil and the Vanars bowed in homage. But 
to her sorrow and to the amazement of the listen- 
ing host, the words of Rama were not of love and 
welcome. He declared that the blood of battle had 
avenged the cause of honor, but that he could not 
receive again the queen whose fair fame had been 
sullied by residence in the palace of the accursed 
Ravana. Stabbed by the cruel and unexpected 
words, and not knowing that Rama cpoke only to 
satisfy the ignorant suspicion of the people, Sita 
proudly asked her attendants to prepare her funeral 
pyre, for she would die rather than endure the un- 
just slander of her people and her lord. 

When all was ready, the rejected queen walked 
three times about the burning pile, calling upon Agni, 
God of Fire, to protect her body and to prove to 
Rama that her heart was pure and true. And lo! 
As her foot touched the pyre, the voice of the gods 
was heard addressing Rama, calling him Vishnu, the 
Preserver, sent to earth incarnate to overcome evil. 
At the same moment the God of Fire himself ad- 
vanced from the heart of the flames to meet Sita, 
and calling her Lakshmi, Queen of Heaven, took her 
by the hand and led her to Rama. Then Indra, God 
of the Firmament, appeared and thanked Rama for 
releasing the gods from the curse of Ravana. 

The years of exile now being at an end, Rama, 


[ 167 





IN « THE ~ GIG HT eeOnG aay eet 


Sita, and Lakshman mounted a magic car and ar- 
rived in a single day at their own fair city where the 
faithful Bharata received them joyfully, hailing the 
king and queen of Ayodha. 

For a thousand years, so the people say, did the 
beautiful city thrive under the calm and peaceful rule 
of King Rama. And Queen Sita, stainless in honor, 
ideal in womanhood, shared the throne through the 
happy years, ever mindful of her people’s good and 
never forgetting their pleasure in her own happiness. 
Toward the end of her reign, again under the ig- 
norant suspicion of her people, she was banished 
once more to the forest. But when her twin sons, 
reared in exile, returned to King Rama, his longing 
for their mother was so great that he recalled Sita 
to court. Finding it necessary a second time to 
prove to the people her innocence and purity, Queen 
Sita appealed to her Earth Mother, and Earth, who 
had given her birth, opened and received her. After 
this, the divine King Rama, savior of his people 
and benefactor of the gods, grew weary of life. He 
went to the banks of the sacred stream, and for- 
saking his body, ascended to his home in heaven. 


LEIS 
ease é — SF 










(aS Zz 
So ZB es 






168 | 


‘non 


THE WATER REEDS 


This is the (fabulous) story 
Told when the twilight fails 
And the monkeys walk together 
Holding each other’s tails. 
KIPLING 


_In past times, we are told, there was a thick 
forest on this spot—the village of Nalakapana 
(Reed-Water). And in the lake there dwelt a 
Wwater-ogre who used to devour everyone who went 
down into the water. In those days the Bodhisatta 
had come to life as the king of the monkeys, and 
was as big as the fawn of a red deer; he lived in 
that forest in the deep shade of the banyan trees and 
the mango trees, and he was at the head of a troop 
of no less than eighty thousand monkeys whom he 
shielded from harm. Thus did he counsel his sub- 
jects: “‘My friends, in this forest there are trees that 
are poisonous and lakes that are haunted by ogres. 
Mind to ask me first before you either eat any fruit 
which you have not eaten before, or drink of any 
water where you have not drunk before.” 

“Certainly,” said they readily. 

One day the monkeys came to a spot they had 
never visited before. As they were searching for 
water to drink after their day’s wanderings, they 
came on this lake. But they did not drink; on the 


From “The Monkeys and the Ogre” in Jataka Tales by H. T. Francis 
and E. J. Tuomas. Published by permission of The Cambridge University 


Press. 
[ 169 





IN THE DLiGH TT 30} eae 


contrary they sat down watching for the coming of 
the Bodhisatta. 

When he came up, he said: ‘Well, my friends, 
why don’t you drink ?” 

‘We waited for you to come.” 

“Quite right, my friends,” said the Bodhisatta. 
Then he made a circuit of the lake, and scrutinized 
the footprints round, with the result that he found 
that all the footsteps led down into the water and 
none came up again. ‘‘Without doubt,” thought he 
to himself, “this is the haunt of an ogre.’’ So he 
said to his followers, “You are quite right, my 
friends, in not drinking of this water; for the lake is 
haunted by an ogre.” | 

When the water-ogre realized that they were not 
entering his domain, he assumed the shape of a hor- 
rible monster with a blue belly, a white face, and 
bright-red hands and feet. In this shape he came 
out from the water and said, ‘“‘Why are you seated 
here? Go down into the lake and drink.” 

But the Bodhisatta said to him, “Are not you 
the ogre of this water?” 

“T am,” was the answer. 

‘Do you take as your pay all those who go down 
into this water?’ 

“Yes, I do; from small birds upwards, I never 
let anything go which comes down into my water. 
I will eat the lot of you, too. Just drink the water.” 

“Yes, we will drink the water and yet not fall 
into your power.”’ 


170 | 





feria SOF THE -ORITENT 


‘‘How do you propose to drink the water then?” 
“Ah, you think we shall have to go down into 
the water to drink; whereas we shall not enter the 
water at all, but the whole eighty thousand of us 
will take a reed each, and drink therewith from your 





THIS WAS THE WAY THEY DRANK 


lake as easily as we could through the hollow stalk 
of a lotus. And so you will not be able to eat us.” 
And he repeated the latter. half of the following 
Stanza, the first half being added by the Master 
when, as Buddha, he recalled the incident: 


I found the footprints all led down, none back. 
With reeds we'll drink; you shall not take my life. 


[171 


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BUDDHA TAUGHT THE TEN PERFECTIONS 








eee HE: ORLEN T 


So saying, the Bodhisatta had a reed brought to 
him. He then made a truth act by calling to mind 
the Ten Perfections and reciting them in a solemn 
-asservation, for when this is done with intention, a 
miracle instantly follows. Then he blew down the 
reed. Straightway the reed became hollow through- 
out, without a single knot being left in all its length. 
Next the Bodhisatta made the tour of the lake, and 
commanded, saying, ‘‘Let all reeds growing here be- 
‘come hollow throughout.’ Now, thanks to the great 
virtues of the saving goodness of Bodhisattas, their 
commands are always fulfilled. And thenceforth 
every single reed that grew round that lake became 
hollow throughout. 

After giving this command, the Bodhisatta 
seated himself with a reed in his hands. All the 
other eighty thousand monkeys, too, seated them- 
‘selves round the lake, each with a reed in his hands. 
‘And at the same moment when the Bodhisatta 
‘sucked the water up through his reed, they all drank 
too in the same manner, as they sat on the bank. 
‘This was the way they drank, and not one of them 
could the water-ogre get; so he went off in a rage to’ 
his own habitation. The Bodhisatta, too, with his 
following went back into the forest. 





[arse 


“THE LOgias 


The worldly hope men set their hearts upon 
Turns ashes —or it prospers; and anon, 
Like snow upon the desert’s dusty face 


Lighting a little hour or two —is gone. 
OMAR KHAYYAM 


Long ago, when the world was young, the Nile 
loved a maiden. She was Isis, Daughter of a Hun 
dred Stars, who, as she nightly climbed the dark pin 
nacle of cloud, drew her silvery drapery across the 
stream’s dark bosom. Many were the sighs the 
river breathed throughout the long nights, but Isi: 
heard them not; for the wind had told her of Osiris 
Osiris the beautiful, the well beloved, who daily 
waked the dreaming world with his warm kiss. Anc 
afterwards Mira, the great Star Mother, bending 
from her gleaming throne, had also spoken of Osiri: 
and his glittering steeds, while Isis, listening 
yearned for him whom she had never seen, whos< 
radiance was brighter even than that of Nefra, the 
Fire Bearer, who, once in a century, flashed through 
the still heavens. So Isis heeded not the Nile, moan: 
ing at her feet, for her eyes were ever bent on the 
rim of the world, whence would come in rosy haste 
the heralds of Osiris. 

One morning, when the starry sisters were flee- 
ing, one by one, to the silent underworld, Isis stayed 
in the dark cloudland. The night winds called her 


to hasten; she heard them not, but stood waiting and 


From “The Lotus” in Types of Prose Narrative by Harriott ELy 
FANSLER. Published by Row, Peterson and Company, Chicago. 


174 | 





Memes OF THE “ORIENT 


watching, while above the eastern horizon rose the 
Hours, streaking the heavens with their amber veils, 
and borne along behind them, Osiris himself, more 
radiant than her dreams. But Osiris, glad in the 
greetings of the jubilant earth, saw only a Star 
Maiden lingering in her pale robes on the borders 
of the Forbidden Kingdom. Catching up a barbed 





HER EYES WERE BENT ON THE RIM OF THE WORLD 


shaft, he hurled it shrieking through the air — and 
Isis fell. 

The winds fled in horror from the earth; the air 
shuddered and shrank away; but the Nile, roaming 
in agony through the fields, stretched out his mighty 
arms, and with a great cry gathered the lifeless Star 
Maiden to his bosom! 

And there, where Isis fell, rose a starry flower, 
pale, but with the stain of the dawn in its heart. 


[175 


A LEGEND OF OLD SEVILLE 


A tone 
Of some world far from ours, 
Where music and moonlight and feeling 


Are one. 
SHELLEY 


In the olden days at Seville a Moorish king was 
fond of going about incognito. He and his favorite 
poet would ramble through the streets in disguise, 
talking freely with the officials stationed outside the 
city. walls, or chatting in a familiar way with passers- 
by and beggars. Frequently they entered the fine 
public halls, and, seated on rich oriental rugs, in- 
dolently sipped thick, spicy beverages while convers- 
ing with the king’s higher class subjects. 

On a certain day as they were walking along the 
shore of the river Betis (Guadalquivir), the caliph 
suddenly halted, and looking at the silvery waves of 
the broad stream, said to his poet: 


‘El viento transforma el rio 
En una cota de malla.’’ * 


And as he could not conclude the verse, he begged 
his friend to complete it for him. The court poet 
cudgeled his brain for the desired rhyme, but his 
barren muse refused at that critical moment to grant 


” The following is a free translation of the Spanish verses. 


* The wind transforms the river 
Into a coat of mail. 


176 | 








eee OP THE .ORLTENT 





him the inspiration. Suddenly there appeared from 
among the bushes lining the shore a beautiful gypsy 
maiden, by name Carmela, who lived in one of the 
huts overrun with flowers on the bank of the broad 
river. 


“Mejor cota no se halla, 
Como la congele el frio.”’ t 


laughed the dainty little maiden with a graceful 
obeisance to the two young men. 

So charmed was the king by the beauty and in- 
telligence of the maiden, that for many evenings 
thereafter, at the setting of the sun, he visited the 
spot to meet her. Seated near the tranquil waters of 
the mighty Betis, the Moorish king and the gypsy 
maiden recited together tender verses, sang melo- 
dious songs, or, absorbed in wonder, silently con- 
templated the distant stars. At last the maiden ques- 
tioned: ‘‘Poet and singer who inspires me, wise one 
who instructs me, who are you?” 

And the stranger made answer, “I am the king, 
the chosen of Allah, protected by Mohammed, his 
prophet; I am the caliph of Seville, and I want you 
to come with me to the Alcazar, my palace of pearls. 
Courts of marble, fountains of alabaster, carved 
ceilings, and lofty columns shall be yours. Tiled 
walls of many colors, Persian carpets, silks from 
Damascus, all yours! Myrtles, cypresses, orange 


t Even old King Winter 
Could not fashion a better armor. 


[er77 


HUET UE 


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wae LOL te < J ~ Mn 


PAIN SRN 
ant Ni! SM: e 


SVEELCOODTAUUCGDV ER ar eneeG UNO CLNCCTAO CCMA STTG CRAB OE RUACPAAT OUT UP EC CLUR ORC ARETOAR COR CSHO RANT ALCO RCAEGOLILU teas stOR Rate eReeracareeeeaneecanearseas 
BAER EN INA A A Pd 





WS ie@.4 eae 


AT THE PALACE OF THE ALCAZAR 


Peo OFS THE ORIENT 





trees, nightingales, golden fishes — all, all yours! 
Come!” 

Trembling, the gypsy girl had listened; but she 
now rose, and lifting her head proudly, returned as 
always before, to the little flower-covered hut. The 
king sat alone and perplexed on the shore of the 
tranquil river. 1 

i oe see ee 

At the great palace of the Alcazar there was 
merriment and feasting, for the king of the Moors 
had made a peace pact with the Christian king. 
Torches flared through the wide corridors and along 
the white walls of the banquet hall; and, hanging 
suspended from the‘ high ceiling richly carved in 
stars of gold, a giant candelabrum shed soft pris- 
matic colors over the banquet table and the royal 
feasters assembled there. 

On the banks of the Betis, the gypsy maiden 
longed for her lover. She sang to the moon, and 
enveloped in a beam of its gentle light, danced most 
exquisitely. Then, prostrate, with forehead pressed 
to the earth, she prayed to the moon to grant her a 
favor. As she did so, a radiant being in silvery 
raiment appeared in the moonlight and said, “I am 
the Fairy of Happiness. My mistress, she who il- 
lumines the narrow streets and gives perfume to the 
flowers in the secret gardens of the Alcazar, also 
brings joy to sad hearts.” 

“Fairy,” said Carmela, lifting her head to kiss 
the edge of the resplendent garments, “fill my sad 


[ 179 


IN THE -LIGH TO eee 


heart with the light of your happiness; permit me to 
fly to the Alcazar to visit my lover, the king.” 

Silently the fairy lifted her wand; Carmela dis- 
appeared, and a beautiful butterfly of delicate colors 
lifted itself on iridescent wings. Guided by the light 
of the moon, the lovely creature flew to the palace 
of the Alcazar, and passing through the torch- 
lighted galleries, entered the banquet hall. ‘There 
in the soft colored light of the great candelabrum 
fluttered the happy little butterfly. Lightly she 
flitted about among the Christian princes, the Moor- 
ish generals, and the beautiful wives of the Sultan, 
ever and anon caressing with soft wings the face of 
the king as though to say, “It is I. I have come.” 

On the following morning in the Court of the 
Maidens the lifeless body of the gypsy girl was 
found. All about her were orange blossoms, and 
above her, bright as the morning sunlight, fluttered 
a luminous butterfly with wings of gold. 

Even in these times, on calm nights when the 
moon pours down her yellow light on the Alcazar, 
and when in the cypresses and poplars the night 
ingales are singing, a beautiful butterfly plays 
through the halls and galleries of the Moorish 
palace; and in the Court of the Maidens a murmur 
of singing voices mingles with the splashing waters 
of the marble fountain and seems to say, ‘“‘Come, all 
is yours!”’ 


180 | 


THE SUN AND THE MOON 


And that the moon spins ’round with the earth and on 
with the earth, is equally wonderful. 
And that they balance themselves with the sun and the 


stars is equally wonderful. 
WHITMAN 


The Sun and the Moon were married, but the 
Sun was very ugly and quarrelsome. One day he 
became angry at the Moon and started to chase her. 
She ran very fast until she was some distance ahead 
of him, when she grew tired and he almost caught 
her. [Ever since, he has been chasing her, at times 
almost reaching her, and again falling far behind. 

The first child of the Sun and Moon was a large 
star, and he was like a man. One time the Sun, be- 
coming angry at the star, cut him up into small pieces 
and scattered him over’the whole sky just as a 
woman scatters rice. Ever since that time there have 
been many stars. 

Another child of the Sun and Moon was a gi- 
gantic crab. He still lives and is so powerful that 
every time he opens and closes his eyes there is a 
Hash of lightning. Most of the time the crab lives 
in a large hole in the bottom of the sea, and when 
he is there we have high tide; and when he leaves 
the hole, the waters rush in and there is low tide. 
His moving about also causes great waves on the 
surface of the sea. 


From Maret Coox Cott’s Philippine Folk Tales published by A. C. Mc- 
Clurg & Company, Chicago. 
[ 181 





IN- THE <> LIGHT 230i eer 


The crab is quarrelsome like his father; and hx 
sometimes becomes so angry with his mother, the 
Moon, that he tries to swallow hers (An eclipse o1 
the moon.) When the people on earth see the crak 
near the Moon and about to eat her up, they rur 
out of doors and shout, and yell, and beat on gong: 
until they scare the crab away. ‘Thus the Moon i: 
saved by the people of earth, who are very fonc 


of her. 7 


mA 


ul 


= 
= 





THE CRAB LIVES IN THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA 


182 | 


THE SALT OF THE OCEAN 


Every why hath a LORIE Rag aa 

A few years after the creation of the world there 
lived a tall giant by the name of Ang-ngalo, the only 
son of the god of building. Ang-ngalo was a wan- 
derer and a lover of work. He lived in the moun- 
tains where he dug many caves. ‘These caves he 
protected from the continual anger of Angin, the 
goddess of the wind, by precipices and sturdy trees. 

One bright morning while Ang-ngalo was climb- 
ing to his loftiest cave, he spied across the ocean — 
the ocean at that time was pure, its waters being the 
accumulated tears of disappointed goddesses —a 
beautiful maid. She beckoned to him and waved her 
black handkerchief; so Ang-ngalo waded across to 
her through the water. ‘The deep caverns in the 
ocean are his footprints. 
This beautiful maid was Sip-gnet, the goddess of 
the dark. She said to Ang-ngalo, “I am tired of 
my dark palace in heaven. You are a great builder. 
What I want you to do for me is to erect a great 
mansion on this spot. ‘This mansion must be white; 
it must be built of bricks as white as snow.” 

Ang-ngalo could not find any bricks as white as 
snow; the only white thing there was at that time 
was salt. So he went for help to Asin, the ruler of 


From Dean S. Fanster’s Filipino Popular Tales published by the Amer- 
ican Folklore Society. 
[ 183 





IN THE} LIGH 307-3 


the Kingdom of Salt. Asin gave him bricks of pure 
salt, as white as snow. Then Ang-ngalo built hun- 
dreds of bamboo bridges across the ocean. Millions 
of men were employed day and night transporting 
the white bricks from one side of the ocean to the 
other. At last the patience of Ocean came to an 


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BY BAMBOO BRIDGES ACROSS THE OCEAN 


end; she could not bear to have her deep and quiet 
slumber disturbed. One day while the men were 
busy carrying the salt bricks across the bridges, she 
sent forth big waves and destroyed the bridges. The 
brick-carriers and their burden were buried in her 
deep bosom. In time the salt dissolved, and today 
the ocean is salty. 


184 ] 


THE HILLS OF PELE 


Like the volcano’s tongue of flame, 
Up from the burning core below — 


The canticles of love and woe. 
EMERSON 


From the bright restless waters of Hilo Bay the 
island of Hawaii slopes gently upward past shining 
black lava shores and tropical forests dense with 
vines and giant tree ferns, to the jagged broad crater 
and deep raging fire pit of Kilauea, one of the 
world’s greatest volcanoes. In this vast and ever- 
seething crater lived Pele, queen of fire and goddess 
of volcanoes. Of the ancient Hawaiian deities she 
was most feared and respected, for her passions 
were as turbulent as the lake of fire in her crater 
home. Beneath her molten flood, in walls of burn- 
ing adamant and grottoes of flame, she consumed the 
offerings of her worshippers and devised destruction 
for those who failed to respect her. Her com- 
panions were her five brothers and eight sisters, who 
helped in creating explosions that darkened the sun 
and moon with ash clouds and sulphurous fumes, or 
lighted the whole heavens with spouting fountains of 
flame. To appease the wrath of the goddess and to 
avert a threatened overflow, Pele’s worshippers cast 
their offerings of taro, red fish, fruits, pigs, and even 
human beings into the deep inner crater known as 
Halemaumau (House of Everlasting Fire). 


From W. D. Westervett’s Hawaiian Legends of Volcanoes published by 
the Geo. H. Ellis Company, Boston, 
[ 185 





IN THE . LIGHYD Oye 


Kahuku, the land that now lies under past and 
present lava flows, was at one time luxuriant and 
beautiful, a garden spot near the seashore where 
sugar cane and taro beds were bordered by splendid 
fragrant flowers, where long-branching shade trees 
waved their red feathery blossoms, and where 
thrived the hala from which sweet-scented skirts and 
mats were woven. Dark-skinned maidens fashioned 
leis (garlands) from the brilliant flowers; strong- 
limbed youths sported in the sea, surf-riding on the 
waves or seeking the bright-colored fish of the coral 
caves; and, throwing themselves headlong on their 
holuas (narrow sleds with long polished runners), 
maidens and young men vied with each other in mad 
rushes over the grassy hill slopes. “The more coura- 
geous riders rested on hands and knees, while only 
the very skilful dared stand upright during the swift 
descent. — 

In this land of Kahuku the goddess Pele ap- 
peared one day, as a beautiful athletic princess. She 
carried her sled with her to the holua hillside, and 
easily surpassed all the other women in grace and 
daring. Soon two handsome young chiefs saw her 
and challenged her to race with them. For hours 
they sported together, both chiefs held captive by the 
charms of the goddess; and each, jealous of the 
other, strove to win Pele to his own home. But the 
maiden’s love, fitful and capricious, was so quickly 
changed to hot anger on slight provocation, that the 
young men became suspicious of her. 


186 | 





Peo OFTHE ORTENT 


At last a warning came that this beautiful 
stranger might be the goddess Pele from the other 
side of the island; that her home was in Hale- 
maumau of Kilauea; that her attendants were the 
leaping flames and her dwelling rooms the caves 
filled with rolling waves of fire; and that she carried 
the control of this underworld with her wherever 
she went. The young chiefs began to talk together 
and to draw away from their dangerous visitor, but 
Pele made it difficult for them to escape by con- 
tinually calling them to race with her. 

Finally the grass began to die, the soil became 
warm, and the heat intense. Slight earthquakes 
made themselves felt, and the tides were more 
snappy as they cast their surf along the beach. The 
chiefs became afraid. Pele saw it and was overcome 
with anger. Her appearance changed. -Her hair 
floated out in tangled masses touched by the breath 
of hot winds. Her arms and limbs shone as if en- 
wrapped with fire, and her breath poured forth as 
smoke. In terror the chiefs rushed toward the sea. 

Then Pele struck the ground heavily. Earth- 
quakes shook the land and the awful fiery flood 
broke from the underworld and swept down over 
Kahuku. The chiefs now tried to flee toward the 
north, but Pele hurled the fiercest torrents beyond 
them to turn them back. Hoping to make their es- 
cape by sea, they hurried again toward the beach 
with the fiery flood coming swiftly behind them. 
On the crest of the torrent rode Pele, flashing the 


[ 187 





IN’ THE LIGHT “Oe ae 


fires of her anger in great explosions above the flood. 
Her eyes blazed like lightning, and her wealth of 
hair, shining red in the glow, had shaken from 
her head in a cloudlike spread as of flame. Her 
shrieks were those of a fierce whistling wind, as, 
urging the underworld forces to their utmost, she 
sped after her former lovers. The lava floods, obey- 
ing her commands, spread out until all the land from 
the mountain to the sea became desolate. 

Nearer and nearer to the water came the swift 
runners. The waves rose eagerly to welcome them, 
and a waiting canoe lay near the beach. But Pele 
leaped from the flowing lava, and, throwing her 
burning arms around the nearest victim, cast his 
body, lifeless, to one side. The lava piled up around 
it while a hew gush rose like a fresh crater and swal- 
lowed all that was left. In a moment Pele seized 
the other chief and called for another outburst of 
lava which rose rapidly around them. ‘Thus in a 
few minutes two giant tombs were built. 

For many years, even from ancient times, the 
Hills of Pele have marked the destruction of the 
beautiful lands of Kahuku. Later lava flows have 
turned aside to spare the monuments of the lovers 
with whom Pele played fora time, and the two hills 
are still seen near the shores of the ocean. 





THE PALACE OF THE OCEAN BED 


In old Japan, by creek and bay, the blue plum blossoms 
blow, 

Where birds with sea-blue plumage gay through sea- 
blue branches go: 

Dragons are coiling down below like dragons on a fan; 

And pigtailed sailors lurching slow through streets of 
old Japan. 


NOYES 

Ho-wori, Prince Fire-Fade, was a great hunter. 
His elder brother, Ho-deri, Prince Fire-Flame, was 
afisher. But often, when the Storm God was abroad 
on the sea, Ho-deri had to stay at home, while at 
nightfall Ho-wori returned laden with spoil from 
the mountains. One day Ho-deri, weary with wait- 
ing for the wind to abate and the sea to calm, said 
to his brother, ‘‘Lend me, I pray thee, thy miracu- 
lous bow and arrows that I may become a hunter. I 
will give thee my magic fishhook.”’ At first Ho-wori 
would not consent, but finally the exchange was 
made. 

Now Prince Fire-Flame was no hunter; he could 
not run swiftly nor take good aim. Day after day 
Prince Fire-Fade went out to sea; he caught no fish, 
and moreover, he lost his brother’s fishhook in the 
sea. Then Ho-deri came to Ho-weri and said, 
“Thou hast the fortune of the mountain; to me is 
given that of the sea. Let each restore to the other 
his luck.” 


From Frank RINDER’s Old World Japan published by The Macmillan 


Company, New York City. 


[ 189 





IN THE LIGHT “OR Rayer 


But Ho-wori replied: “In vain have I furrowed 
the jade-green water and cast my line beyond the 
bounds of the sea. No fish have I caught, and more- 
over, I have lost thy worthless fishhook.”’ 

The elder brother was very angry, and with 
many hard words demanded the return of his treas- 
ure. Prince Fire-Fade was unhappy. He broke in 
pieces his good sword and forged from it a myriad 
fishhooks, which he offered to his brother. But 
they were not the magic fishhook and Ho- deri would 
-have none of them. 

Ho-wori could find neither comfort nor help; he 
sat one day by the shore and heaved a deep sigh. 
The Old Man of the Sea heard the sigh and asked 
the cause of his sorrow. When Ho-wori told him 
of the loss of the fishhook, the wise man promised 
to give his help. He plaited strips of bamboo to- 
gether, and fashioned therewith a stout little boat. 
Into this boat Ho-wori jumped and was carried far 
out to sea. 

Beyond the bounds of ocean the boat began to 
sink. Down, down, went Prince Fire-Fade through 
endless depths of seaweed forests until he came to a 
glittering palace of fishes’ scales, the abode of the 
God of the Ocean. A wide-spreading cassia tree 
grew beside a well, and in its tangled branches Prince 
Fire-Fade sat and watched strange fishes glide 
through the foliage. As he looked down he saw 
Princess Toyo-tama, Peerless Jewel, daughter of 
Wata-tsu-mi, the sea god. She was approaching the 


190 | 





Meera OF THE ORIEN TF 


well, and in her hand she carried a jeweled bowl. 
Ho-wori was spellbound by her strange wavelike 
beauty, her long flowing hair, her soft, deep-blue 
eyes. The maiden stooped to fill her bowl. Sud- 
denly she saw the reflection of Prince Fire-Fade in 
the water; she dropped the precious bowl, and it 
shattered into a thousand pieces. Toyo-tama has- 
tened to her father and exclaimed, ‘‘A man, with the 
grace and beauty of a god, sits in the branches of 
the cassia tree. I have seen his picture in the waters 
of the well.” The sea god knew that it must be the 
great hunter, Prince Fire-Fade. 

Then Wata-tsu-mi went forth and stood under 
fe cassia tree. He looked up and said, ‘‘Come 
down, O Son of the Gods, and enter my Palace of 
the Ocean Bed.” Ho-wori obeyed, and the sea god 
led him into the stately palace and seated him on a> 
throne cushioned eightfold with the skins of sea 
lions. A sumptuous banquet was prepared. The 
table was delicate coral; the plates, mother-of-pearl. 
They sipped rare ocean sake from silvery shells, 
while fiddler crabs discoursed sweet music. After 
the banquet, in the shadowy garden of sea blooms, 
Prince Fire-Fade whispered his love to the Peerless 
Princess. Dimly, through the blue waters that 
moved above them, shone the Sun Goddess, and all 
about them were the mountains and valleys of ocean, 
and the waving forests of tall sea plants. 

Ho-wori told Wata-tsu-mi of the loss of the fish- 
hook. The sea god summoned before him all the 


[ 191 





IN: THE LiG HT ee eet 


fishes of his kingdom. ‘Thousands upon thousands 
they came, from the remote recesses of the sea. To 
the question, ‘“Know ye aught, my faithful subjects, 
of the magic fishhook of Prince Fire-Flame?”’ the 
Lobster made answer, ‘‘We know naught, except that 


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IN THE BED OF THE OCEAN 


the Tai bideth at home with a wounded mouth.” 
Wata-tsu-mi then noticed that the Tai had not an- 
swered his summons, and sent a messenger, fleet of 
fin, to fetch him. When the Tai appeared, the lost 
fishhook was discovered within his swollen gills. It 
was restored to Ho-wori and he was happy. Toyo- 


192 | 





s 


Pee OR THE  ORTENT 


tama became his bride and they lived together in 
the cool fish-scale palace. 

Prince Fire-Fade came to understand the secrets 
of the ocean, the cause of its anger, the cause of its 
joy. The storm spirit of the upper sea did not rule 
in the ocean bed, and night after night Ho-wori 
was rocked to sleep by the gentle motion of the 
waters. Many tides had ebbed and flowed, when in 
the quiet of the night, Ho-wori heaved a great sigh. 
Toyo-tama was troubled, and told her father that, 
as Ho-wori dreamt of his home on the earth, a great 
longing had come over him to visit it once more. 
The sea god then gave into Ho-wori’s hands two 
jewels to rule the tides of the sea. He spoke thus: 
“Return to earth on the head of my trusted sea 
dragon. Restore the lost fishhook to Ho-deri. If 
he is wroth with you, bring forth the tide-flowing 
jewel, and the waters shall cover him; if he asks 
your forgiveness, bring forth the tide-ebbing jewel, 
and it shall be well with him.” 

Ho-wori left the Palace of the Ocean Bed and 
was carried swiftly to his own land. As he set foot 
on the shore, he ungirded his sword, and tied it 
round the neck of the sea dragon. Then he said, 
“Take this to the sea god as a token of my love and 
gratitude.” 





ds AN 
TREES Mire 


es ie ip ial ) A 
AAD 
: WY tell DNase : Mh we ee Vl Pieri 





CALL IT FUJI, THE MATCHLESS MOUNTAIN 


LAKE OF THE LUTE AND THE 
MATCHLESS MOUNTAIN 


Seki is a goodly place, facing the morning sun, 
There, from the holy mountain, the winds blow softly, 
softly. 
JAPANESE SONG 

Sweeping from twenty square leagues of space 
ut of the plain of Suruga Province, and rising twelve 
1ousand feet in air, the majestic Fuji Yama casts 
s sunset shadow far out on the ocean. It sits like 
king enthroned in the Land of the Rising Sun, and 
» the people of fourteen provinces displays the 
slendor of its snowy crown. 

One hundred thirty miles to the west, as the 
‘ane wings her flight, in the heart of the Province 
f Omi, is Biwa Ko, the Lake of the Lute. It is 
xty miles long; its shape, a lute with four strings; 
s color, the sky whose mirror it is. White-walled 
stles gleam along its banks, and on its bosom lie 
ooded islands, white, but not with frost, for thou- 
inds of herons nestle on the branches of the trees. 
fis said that in the soundless depths of Lake Biwa 
well the dragon-helmed king and the shell-crowned 
aeen of the World Under the Sea. 

When heaven and earth were first created, there 
as neither lake of Biwa nor mountain of Fuji. 
ven long after men inhabited Japan and the mi- 
idos had ruled for centuries, there was neither 


From Japanese Fairy Tales by Witt1am Exxtiot Grirris. Published by 
> T. Y. Crowell Company, New York City. 
[ 195 





IN THE: L1G H Tesora r 


earth so near to heaven, nor water so close to the 
underworld as the peaks of Fuji and the bottom of 
Biwa. Both Suruga and Omi were plains, and men 
drove the plough and planted the rice over the very 
spot where the highest peak and the deepest depth 
now are. 

But one night in those ancient times there was a 
terrible earthquake. The world shook; the clouds 
lowered to the earth; floods of water poured from 
the sky; and a sound like the fighting of a myriad of 
dragons filled the air. In the morning all was calm 
and serene. ‘he sky was clear and the earth was 
as bright as when the sun goddess first came out 
from her hiding in the cave. 

The people of Omi looked out, scarce expecting 
to find either earth or heaven, when lo! they beheld 
instead of tilled land and barren moor, a great sheet 
of blue. Was it sky? Had some of the field of 
heaven fallen down? Was it ocean? They came 
near and tasted it. It was fresh and sweet as a moun- 
tain rill. They admired it from the hilltops, and 
seeing its outline, named it Lake of the Four-stringed 
Lute. Some of them, proud of their new posses 
sion, also called it Lake of Omi. 

Greater still was the surprise of the Suruga peo. 
ple. The sailors far out at sea rubbed their eyes 
and wondered at the strange shape of the towering 
white mass. Had the throne of heaven come dowr 
to rest on earth out of the many-piled white clouds: 
The sailors thought they had lost their reckoning. 


196 | 








Weenie OF yD HE ORIENT 


but were assured when they recognized familiar land- 
marks on shore. Many a cottager woke up to find 
his house, which lay in the valley the day before, 


far up on the slope, with the distant villages and the 
dh 
( 


sea visible; while far, far above shone the snowy 
\ 

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os \ 


head of a mountain whose crown lay in the sky. At 
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LI DAS SSW AISO DROSSPA H 


THEY NAMED IT LAKE OF THE LUTE 


night the edges of the peak, like white fingers, 
seemed to pluck the stars from the Milky Way. 

“What shall. we call this newborn child of the 
gods?” said the people. And various names were 
proposed. 

“Call it after the festal flower of Joy, Fuji (wis- 
taria),’ said one, as he decked the peak of his hat 
with the drooping clusters of the tender blue blos- 

[ 197 





IN’ THE LIGHT OO} yee 


som. ‘It looks blue and purple in the distance just 
like the Fuji flower.” 

“Tt is so tall, so comely, so grand, call it Fuji 
(rich scholar), the lordly mountain,” said another. 

“Call it Fuji (never-dying), the immortal moun- 
tain,” said a third. 

And still others said, ‘“There is no other moun- 
tain so beautiful in all the earth; there is not its 
equal anywhere; therefore, call it Fuji (no two 
such), the peerless, the matchless mountain.” 

At a later time, when Buddhist believers came to 
Japan, one of them, climbing Fuji, noticed that 
around its sunken crater were eight peaks like the 
petals of their sacred lotus flower. So another name 
was given Fuji—the sacred mountain. Various as 
the meanings of the name were, each chose his own, 
and all sounded alike to the ear. 

Many were the beliefs that went forth concern- 
ing the great white mountain of Japan. Pilgrims 
from the countries bounding the four seas came to 
ascend it, seeking for the elixir of immortality which 
was said to be hidden somewhere on its summit. It 
is believed that the earth which sank in Omi is the 
same, which, piled to the clouds, forms the matchless 
mountain of Suruga. The pilgrim may therefore 
say, when quenching his thirst with the melted snow 
water of Fuji crater, “I am drinking from Lake 
Biwa,” and the children may exclaim as they sail 
over the blue surface of Lake Biwa, ‘‘We are on 
top of Fuji Yama.” 


198 | 


THE DIVIDED DRAGON 


They have looked each other between the eyes, and 
there they have found no fault, 

They have taken the oath of Brother-in-Blood on leav- 
ened bread and salt. 


Ever so long ago in earth’s oldest land of China, 
a belief prevailed among the people that a national 
calamity would befall unless a child were sacrificed 
yearly to their water god. So year by year a help- 
less babe, picked by lot for this sacrifice, was placed 
ina basket and set afloat in the river where the water 
god would find it. Thus only was the wrath of the 
god turned aside and peril to China averted. 

One year the fateful lot fell upon the infant son 
of the royal family. The parents, though bitter and 
heartbroken at the cruel fate which had befallen 
their little one, submitted to the demand of the god, 
and the centuries-old custom of their land. They 
procured a basket of superior workmanship, tightly 
woven of bamboo grasses and padded with finest 
silk. In this they placed the tiny prince, a beautiful 
boy, clothed in costly dainty garments, their priceless 
sacrifice in honor of the gods and for the safety of 
their country. 

The day was calm. The basket boat with its 
mite of human freight floated for miles on the quiet 
brown waters of the placid stream, and stranded at 
dusk among trailing willow branches on a shoal in 


[ 199 


IN THE LIGHT (Ouse 


the bend of the river. A laborer and his wife, plod- 
ding homeward after a weary day in the ricefields, 
were attracted by the pitiful cries of a hungry child, 
and soon discovered the little castaway. ‘This 
couple had an infant son about the age of the royal - 
babe, and every instinct of parenthood was outraged 
by their find. Well they realized that swift merci- 
less punishment would be meted them, if, by chance, 
their interference with the sacred custom became 
known. But the evening was far advanced; the spot 
was lonely; no one would know. Compassion for 
the baby, helpless like their own, proved stronger 
than fear of death or inbred ancestral respect for a 
heartless custom. They took the little one home. 

In the humble dwelling of the rice-grower the 
two little boys were loved and cared for together. 
Following a common practice in those days when 
twins were born in a home, the laborer and his wife 
stamped a half dragon on the breast of each infant. 
When the children grew older they were sent to 
school as twin brothers. 

Here blood began to tell. The offspring of the 
royal family, with generations of educated ancestry 
behind him, shortly outstripped his supposed brother 
of humble birth. Agents of the imperial Chinese 
government, ever watchful for youths of exceptional 
promise, took the precocious boy in hand and edu- 
cated him at state expense for state service. En- 
dowed at birth with a superior intellect, and afforded 
the best education which the schools of his land had 
200 | 


MYTHS OF ‘THE ORIENT 


to offer, the erstwhile sacrifice to the water god rose 
to the position of general in the royal army. State 
cares occupied his days; the twin brother and loved 
playmate of childhood was forgotten. 


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THE BOAT STRANDED IN THE RIVER 


| 





A time came when the rice crop, staple food of 
China, failed. The poor, who depended solely on 
it for sustenance, were driven to desperation. With 
starvation at hand, they revolted against royal 
authority and royal plenty. A great battle was 
fought. between the immense rabble of half-starved 
peasants, and the smaller but trained and disciplined 
army of the imperial government. 

[ 201 





IN THE LIGHT OF MYTH 


At the outset, the peasants, successful by sheer 
force of numbers, routed the royal forces. It was 
at this juncture in the turmoil of battle that the two 
brothers, separated for years, met again — unknown 
coolie against royal commander. The general had 
been unhorsed in the fierce conflict, and the peasant 
brother, flinging himself upon one whom he judged 
a hated foe, was about to plunge his dagger. But 
instead, he checked his weapon in mid-air, left the 
surprised general unharmed, and was soon lost in 
the confusion of the battle. As he had aimed the 
dagger’s point, the loosened tunic at his victim’s 
throat had revealed one half of a divided dragon; 
and the peasant knew that the other half he bore 
upon his own breast. 

Later that day the tide of. battle turned. Thou- 
sands of peasants were made prisoners; the revolt 
against authority was subdued. ‘The general, while 
passing sentence upon a group of the offenders, saw 
again the rebel who had spared his life that day, 
and recognized him as the foster brother of his 
childhood. He was deeply touched by the act of 
love, and gave command that the youth be released 
and rewarded. 

Today the divided dragon, cammonly used by 
the Chinese as a decorative design, has lost its an- 
cient significance; for in the olden days it was used 
only on gifts: for very dear friends, and as a unique 
symbol of love and loyalty. 


202,11 


THE SOUL OF THE GREAT BELL 


She hath spoken, and her words stili resound in his 
ears. 
HAO-KHIEOU-TCHOUAN 


Nearly five hundred years ago the Celestially 
August, the Son of Heaven, Yong-Lo of the Ming 
dynasty, commanded the worthy official, Kouan-Yu, 
that he should have a bell made of such size that 
the sound thereof might be heard for a hundred /i. 
And he further ordained that the voice of the bell 
should be strengthened with brass, and deepened 
with gold, and sweetened with silver; and that the 
face and the great lips of it should be graven with 
blessed sayings from the sacred books, and that it 
should be suspended in the center of the imperial 
capital, to sound through all the many colored ways 
of the city of Pe-King. 

Therefore the worthy Kouan-Yu assembled the 
master molders and the renowned bellsmiths of the 
empire, and all men of great repute and cunning in 
foundry work; and they measured the materials for 
the alloy, and treated them skilfully, and prepared 
the molds, the fires, the instruments, and the mon- 
strous melting pot for fusing the metal. And they 
labored exceedingly, like giants, neglecting rest and 
sleep and the comforts of life, toiling in obedience 
to Kouan-Yu and striving in all things to do the 
behest of the Son of Heaven. 





From Larcaprio Hearn’s Some Chinese Ghosts (ccpyright 1887, Roberts 
Brothers, Bcston) by permission of Little, Brown & Company, Boston. 


[ 203 








IN THE LIGHT OFS iia 


But when the metal had been cast, and the 
earthen mold separated from the glowing casting, 
it was discovered that, despite their great labor and 
ceaseless care, the result was void of worth; for the 
metals had rebelled one against the other — the 
gold had scorned alliance with the brass, the silver 
would not mingle with the molten iron. Therefore 
the molds had to be once more prepared, and the 
fires rekindled, and the metal remelted, and all the 
work toilsomely repeated. The Son of Heaven 
heard and was angry but spake nothing. 

A second time the bell was cast, and the result 
was even worse. Still the metals obstinately refused 
to blend one with the other; and there was no uni- 
formity in the bell, and the sides of it were cracked 
and fissured, and the lips of it were slagged and 
split asunder; so that all the labor had to be repeated 
even a third time. And when the Son of Heaven 
heard these things, he was more angry than before; 
and he sent his messenger to Kouan-Yu with a letter, 
written upon lemon-colored silk and sealed with the 
seal of the dragon, containing these words: 

‘From the Mighty Yong-Lo, the Celestial and 
August, whose reign is called Ming, to Kouan-Yu: 
Twice thou hast betrayed the trust we have placed 
in thee; if thou fail a third time, thy head shall be 
severed from thy neck. Tremble, and obey!” 

> 2 * * x 

Now, Kouan-Yu had a daughter of dazzling 

loveliness, whose name, Ko-Ngai, was ever in the 


204 | 





/nouths of poets, and whose heart was even more 
‘seautiful than her face. Ko-Ngai loved her tather 
vith a great love, and when she had seen the awful 
ellow missive, sealed with the dragon seal, she could 
; ‘ot rest or sleep for thinking of her parent’s danger. 
jhe secretly sold some of her jewels, and with the 
noney so obtained, hastened to an astrologer and 
»aid him a great price to advise her by what means 
ler father might be saved from the peril impending 
over him. The astrologer made observation of the 
ieavens, marked the aspect of the Silver Stream, 
‘vhich we call the Milky Way, and examined the 
‘igns of the zodiac and the mystical books of the 
Ichemists. Then, after a long silence, he made 
_mswer to her, saying: “Gold and brass will never 
ineet in wedlock, silver and iron never will embrace, 
inti the flesh of a maiden be melted in the crucible, 
intil the blood of a virgin be mixed with the metals 
'n their fusion.” So Ko-Ngai returned home sor- 
oe at heart; but she kept secret all that she had 


veard, and told no one what she had done. 
x x x x x 


Peeeoee sr LE ORTENT 





| At last came the awful day when the third and 
ast effort to cast the great bell was to be made; and 
o-Ngai, together with her waiting woman, accom- 
ia ied her father to the foundry where they took 
heir places upon a platform overlooking the toiling 
of the molders. All the workmen wrought at their 
‘asks i in silence; there was no sound heard but the 
‘uttering of the fires. And the muttering deepened 
| 
| 
| 


[ 205 





IN -THE- LIGHT 3 @ ee 





into a roar like the roar of typhoons approaching, 
and the blood red lake of metal slowly brightened 
like the vermilion of a sunrise, and the vermilion was 
transmuted into a radiant glow of gold, and the gold 
whitened blindingly, like the silver face of a full 
moon. ‘hen the workers ceased to feed the raving 
flame, and all fixed their eyes upon the eyes of 


Ch ) 





ITS TONES MIGHT BE HEARD FOR A HUNDRED “LI” 
Kouan-Yu; and Kouan-Yu prepared to give the 
signal to cast. 

But ere ever he lifted his finger, a cry caused him 
to turn his head; and all heard the voice of Ko-Ngat 
sounding sharply sweet as a bird’s song above the 
great thunder of the fires — ‘“‘For thy sake, O my 
father!” And even as she cried, she leaped into 
the white flood of metal; and the lava of the furnace 
roared to receive her, and spattered monstrous flakes 
of flame to the roof, and burst over the verge of the 
206 | 


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CULT 
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TO SOUND THROUGH ALL THE WAYS OF PE-KING 





IN THE. LIGH 1330 eee 


earthen crater, and cast up a whirling fountain of 
many-colored fires, and subsided quakingly, with 
lightnings and with thunders and with mutterings. 

Then the father of Ko-Ngai, wild with his grief, 
would have leaped in after her, but that strong men 
held him back until he had fainted away, and they 
could bear him like one dead to his home. And the 
serving woman of Ko-Ngai, dizzy and speechless 
for pain, stood before the furnace, still holding in her 
hands a shoe, a tiny, dainty shoe. For she had 
sought to grasp her mistress by the foot as she 
leaped, and the pretty shoe came off in her hand; 
and she continued to stare at it like one gone mad. 

* * x * *k 

But in spite of these things, the command of the 
Celestial and August had to be obeyed, and the work 
of the molders to be finished, hopeless as the result 
might be. Yet the glow of the metal seemed purer 
and whiter than before; and there was no sign of 
the beautiful body that had been entombed therein. 
So the ponderous casting was made; and lo! when 
the metal had become cool, it was found that the bell 
was beautiful to look upon, and beautiful in form, 
and wonderful in color. And when they sounded the 
bell, its tones were found to be deeper and mellower 
and mightier than the tones of any other bell, reach- 
ing even beyond the distance of a hundred /i, like a 
pealing of summer thunder; and yet also like some 
vast voice uttering a name, a woman’s name, the 
name of Ko-Ngai. 
208 | 





Oe x ray rh Se ts 1 ba at 
Pe ag WARE) AP ae 
i a. Crier 
Eo i , i “v 
é + i 
F) e 





TO THE MOUNTAIN SPIRIT 


Lord of the mountain, 

Reared within the mountain, 
Young man, Chieftain, 

Hear a young man’s prayer! 
Hear a prayer for cleanness. 
Keeper of the strong rain 
Drumming on the mountain; 
Lord of the small rain 

That restores the earth in newness; 
Keeper of the clean rain, 
Hear a prayer for wholeness. 
Young man, Chieftain, 

Hear a prayer for fleetness, 
Keeper of the deer’s way, 
Reared among the eagles, 
Clear my feet of slothness. 
Keeper of the paths of men, 
Hear a prayer for straightness, 
Hear a prayer for courage. 
Lord of the thin peaks, 

Reared among the thunders; 
Keeper of the headlands, 
Holding up the harvest; 
Keeper of the strong rocks, ' 
Hear a prayer for staunchness. 
Young man, Chieftain, 

Spirit of the Mountain! 


NAVAJO INDIAN PRAYER 
From The Path of the Rainbow, edited by G. W. Cronyn and Mary 


Austin. Reprinted by permission of the publishers, Boni & Liveright, 
New York City. 





a ll )6)—C eee —_— 


THE TWO SISTERS 


Peace hath her victories 
No less renowned than war. 


Many thousands of years ago a great Tyee had 
two daughters who grew to womanhood at the same 
springtime, when the first great run of salmon 
thronged the rivers, and the ollallie bushes were 
heavy with blossoms. These two daughters were 


- lovable and very beautiful. ‘heir father, the great 


Tyee, prepared to make a feast such as the Coast 
had never seen. There were to be days and days of 
rejoicing; the people were to come for many leagues 
bringing gifts, and in turn they were to receive gifts 
from their chief. Hospitality was to reign as long 
as feet could dance, and lips could laugh, and mouths 
partake of the excellence of the chief’s fish, game, 
and ollallies. 

The only shadow on the joy of it all was war; 
the tribe of the great Tyee was at war with the 
Upper Coast Indians. Giant war canoes slipped 
along the entire coast, war parties paddled up and 
down, war songs broke the silence of the nights; 
hatred, vengeance, strife, horror, festered every- 
where like sores on the surface of the earth. But the 
great Tyee, after warring for weeks, turned and 


laughed at the battle and bloodshed, for he had been 


From PautinE Jounson’s Legends of Vancouver published by McClelland 
and Stewart, Ltd., Toronto. 


[211 


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wee Se Zea 
Neer ea 


—— UU Pr Keli ae 





HEAR A PRAYER FOR COURAGE 





SS eseons THE NEW WORLD 


victor in every encounter and could well afford to 
leave the strife for a brief week, nor permit any mere 
-enemy to come between him and the traditions of his 
race and household. So he turned deaf ears to their 
war cries, ignored their paddle dips that encroached 
within his own coast waters, and prepared, as a great 
‘Tyee should, to entertain his tribesmen royally in 
honor of his daughters. 
But seven suns before the great feast, these two 
maidens came before him, hand clasped in hand. 
‘Oh, our father,” they said, ‘‘may we speak?” 
‘Speak, my daughters, my girls with the eyes of 
April, the hearts of June.”’ 

“Some day, oh, our father, we may mother a 
man child who may grow to be such a powerful Tyee 
-as you are. For this honor that may some day be 
ours, we have come to crave a favour of you — you, 
our father.” 

“It is your privilege at this celebration to, receive 
any favour your hearts may wish,” he replied 
graciously. ‘The favour is yours before you ask it, 
my daughters.”’ 

“Will you, for our sakes, invite the great north- 
‘ern hostile tribe — the tribe you war upon — to this 
our feast?” they asked fearlessly. 

' “To a peaceful feast, a feast in the honor of 
women ?” he asked incredulously. 

“So we should desire it,” they answered. 

‘And so it shall be,” he declared. “I can deny 


! 
‘you nothing this day, and sometime your sons may 
: [por 
: 
| 








IN’ THE JLIGHT* Oe 


bless this peace you have asked, and bless their 
mother’s sire for granting it.” “Then turning to the 
young men of the tribe, he commanded, “Build fires 
at sunset on all the coast headlands — fires of wel- 
come. Man your canoes and face the north; greet 
the enemy and tell them that I, the Tyee of the Capi- 
lanoes, ask — no, command — that they join me for 
a great feast in honor of my two daughters.” 





MAN YOUR CANOES AND FACE THE NORTH 


When the northern tribe got this invitation they 
flocked down the coast to the Feast of a Great 
Peace. They brought their women and children; 
they brought game and fish, gold and white stone 
beads, baskets and carven ladles and wonderful 
woven blankets to lay at the feet of their now ac- 
knowledged ruler, the great Tyee. And he in turn 


214 | 





MiYTHS OF THE NEW WORLD 


gave such a great potlatch that nothing but tradition 
can vie with it. There were long glad days of feast- 
ing, happy nights of dancing and camp fires, and vast 
quantities of food. The war canoes were emptied 
of their deadly weapons and filled with the daily 
catch of salmon. The hostile war songs ceased, and 
in their place were heard the soft shuffle of dancing 
feet, the singing voices of women, and the games of 
children. A great and lasting brotherhood was 
sealed between two powerful tribes which until now 
had been ancient enemies. 

Then the Sagalie Tyee (Great Spirit) smiled on 
his Indian children. “I will make these young-eyed 
maidens immortal,” he said. Inthe cup of his hands 
he lifted the chief’s two daughters and set them for- 
ever in a high place, for they had borne two offspring 

_— Peace and Brotherhood —each of which is now 
a great Tyee ruling a land. And on the mountain 
crest the chief’s daughters, known by the paleface as 
The Lions of Vancouver, can be seen wrapped in the 
suns and the snows of all seasons. ‘They have stood 
in this high place for thousands of years, and will 
stand for thousands of years to come, guarding the 
peace of the Pacific Coast and the quiet of the Capi- 
lano Canyon. 





THE STORY OF RAVEN 


Then the Frost his songs recited 

And the Rain its legends taught me. 

Other songs the winds have wafted 

Or the ocean waves have drifted. 
KALEVALA 


In the days of the animal people, long, long ago, 
there lived in a house at the head of Nass River a 
being called Raven-at-the-head-of-Nass. He was 
the creator of human beings whom he fashioned 
from the leaves of plants; and as the keaves fall and 
wither, so death comes into the world. No one had 
ever seen this deity, but in his house were all kinds 
of things including sun, moon, stars, and daylight. 
Here his grandson, Raven, was born, grew up, and 
was made headman over the world. As a baby he 
had cried for the moon until it was handed to him, 
and quick as a wink he let it go up into the sky. 

When Raven had grown quite large he obtained 
the box in which daylight was stored and walked 
with it along the bank of Nass River. Now all the 
people in the world lived at one place on Nass River, 
and Raven heard the noise they were making in the 
darkness as they fished for olachen. ‘They had heard 
that Raven-at-the-head-of-Nass had something called 
daylight. They were afraid of it and talked about it 
a great deal. Raven shouted to the fisherman, “If 
you make so much noise I will bring daylight here.” 


Reprinted by permission of the BurEau oF AMERICAN EtHNOLoGy from 
Tlingit Myths and Texts. 


216 | 





Pyrite) eOrF THE NEW WORLD 


They said, ‘You are not Raven-at-the-head-of-Nass. 
How can you have daylight?” Then Raven opened 
the box and daylight shot over.the world like light- 
ning. He opened the box wide and there was day- 
light everywhere. ‘Then the people became fright- 
ened. Some jumped into the water and some ran into 
the woods. Those who jumped into the water be- 
came seals; those who ran into the woods became 
grizzly bears, martens, and wolves. 

Raven made the great rivers of the world: Nass, 
Skeena, Stikine, Chilkat, and others. It happened 
inthis way. Petrel, keeper of the fresh water, owned 
a spring on a rocky island called Dekino (Fort Far- 
out), where the well may still be seen. Raven stole 
a great mouthful of this water, but as he flew over 
the country, drops spilled out of his beak. These 
drops made the rivers. Some time after this, in his 
travels one day, Raven came upon a clear lake bor- 
dered by land points red with cranberries. He just 
rolled the lake up as though it were a blanket, put 
it under his arm, and pulled himself up into a tree. 
The beavers came, and by cutting down the tree, at- 
tempted to rescue their stolen property, but Raven es- 
caped with it. After traveling around for a while 
he came to a large open place. ‘There he unrolled 
the lake. There it lay! 

All the queer places that Raven visited could 
hardly be named, nor all his strange deeds and ad- 
ventures told. He talked with the birds and charged 
the ptarmigan to teach the value of snowshoes to 


Meaty, 


IN ‘THE -LIGHT (Oye 


man, the robin to pipe his glad whistle, the blue jay 
to flaunt his gay color. He gave to the eagle its 
talons and pronounced it the most powerful of birds. 
He stayed for a while with North Wind in his icy 
cliff. He lived inside a whale, down whose throat 
he had flown in an attempt to get the animal to shore. 
He feasted upon the fish which the whale took in, 
then finally killed it by cutting out its heart. When 
the dead whale floated ashore the people cut it open 
and Raven flew off into the woods. He took a trip 
under the sea and visited the halibut people, stopping 
too at the great under-ocean cave of Gonaqadet, 
spirit of the sea. Gonagadet, who wore a Chilkat 
blanket, explained to his guest its strange pattern 
that illustrated the sea spirit’s courtship and how he 
killed a bear with its heart between its eyes to rescue 
his bride, a chief’s daughter. Later Raven taught the 
weaving of this blanket to his people, and its intricate 
pattern still shows the bear with its heart between its 
eyes, the sea spirit, the chief, and sometimes, also, the 
raven. Many were the teachings of Raven to his 
people: How to trap the salmon and to construct 
storehouses in which to freeze it; how to set the hali- — 
but hook, to plant the Indian tobacco, to build light 
canoes out of skins. 

The bringing of the light by Raven was a feat 
performed in the latter days, the days of the sha- 
mans. After Raven let the daylight into the world, 
the sun and the moon were in the sky, but someone 
took them away, and people had only the light of the 
218 | 





: 


| 
—__ 
MYTHS OF THE NEW WORLD 





stars. When even the magic of the shamans failed 
‘to bring back the sun and moon, an orphan boy in the 
‘village mocked, “‘You fine shamans cannot bring back 
‘the light, but I can.’”’ Then the shamans beat the 


boy and drove him out of the kashim. They did not 
‘know that when the boy put on a raven coat he be- 


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DAYLIGHT SHOT OVER THE WORLD 


came Raven. The boy went to his aunt and said, 
“Where are the sun and the moon?” 


“Go far to the south if you seek the light,” she 


‘answered. ‘‘Go on snowshoes.” 


| 
| 
7 


[ 219 





IN: THE LIGHT (© Pera suat 


The boy put on snowshoes and set off toward the 
south. When he had gone a long way he came to a 
hut on the side of a high hill. At the entrance to the 
hut a man tossed ‘snow high into the air. Near 
by was a large ball of fire. The boy caught up the 
ball of light, put it in the turned-up flap of his coat, 
and ran until his feet were tired. He could hear 
the man shriek behind him. ‘Then he put on his 
raven coat and flew rapidly to the north. Faster and 
faster Raven flew, and as he flew he broke off a little 
piece of the light. This made day. Then he went 
on a long time in darkness until he broke off another 
piece of light. Thus it was day again. When he 
reached his own village he threw away the last piece. 
He said, “I have brought back the light. It will be 
light and then dark so as to make day and night.” 
Thus Raven brought back the light. It is night and 
day as he said it would be, but sometimes the nights 
are very long because Raven traveled a long way 
without throwing away a piece of light. 

After this Raven went out upon the ice by the 
seacoast. A great wind arose, and the ice drifted 
with him far out across the sea to the land on the 
other side. 





THE ELK’S HORN* 


And therefore we must needs admit the means 
How things are perfected. 
‘ SHAKESPEARE 

One day Coyote was constantly saying, “I just 
want to have a great deal of fun.”” So he began to 
send messengers to call the people together. In the 
villages many things were being enacted. The people 
‘Were spearing, fixing chisels, shooting at target, and 
walking on stilts. Some were playing the guessing 
game; some were spinning tops; others were dancing. 
The messengers arrived and announced the message. 

‘Coyote desires that all the people should assem- 
ble from everywhere. The counting sticks will be 
made ready. You will carefully watch the days go 
by. After ten counting sticks are gone then you shall 
come. You will take along your various playing 
utensils.”’ | 

Finally the messengers returned to their chief. 
And now food was brought from everywhere and 
all sorts of things were being done. Spears and 
knives were fixed; shinny clubs, arrows, and bows 
were made. The counting sticks were being con- 
stantly counted and everybody was feeling glad. 
Coyote was walking around among his people con- 
tinually advising them, ‘“‘Do you please watch your- 


*From the literal translation of an Indian narrative. Reprinted by 
permission of the BurEAUu oF AMERICAN ETHNOLOGY from Alsea Myths. 


ieoot 





IN’ THE’ ‘LIGH TV) SOghieeeer: 


selves carefully when the people shall assemble. 
They are the strong tribes; they simply know all 
sorts of tricks. Your hearts shall be very strong. 
You shall constantly practice among yourselves. 
Your spirits shall not be low. I know everything. 
No one is ever going to beat me by cleverness; it is 
for that that I am not afraid.” 

And the people answered, “Verily now we know 
thee. Thou knowest everything. Even our last 
property are we going to put at stake because we 
know thee. No one has ever overcome thee because 
Unconquerable is thy name.”’ 

‘Tt will not be long before they will arrive,” were 
Coyote’s words. “I am not afraid. My name is 
Unconquerable.”’ 

At last they were arriving in great numbers; dif- 
ferent people; just all sorts of tribes. All the shinny 
players had feathers on; the dancing people were 
painted in all sorts of ways. They played various 
games. The rooters were shouting from everywhere 
whenever the shinny ball moved a little. Coyote 
would say to the people who came, ‘Thou art igno- 
rant of the shinny game. See, I have been telling thee 
thou canst not play shinny.”’ ‘Then they shot at the 
target. Coyote’s people would win the arrows. 
‘‘Friend, give me thy arrows,’’ Coyote’s people would 
say. Not long afterwards they danced. Then pole 
spearing was practiced. A bundle of dried-up grass 
would be thrown upward, and it would be speared up 
in the air. One of Coyote’s men was continually 
hitting the grass. 

2224] 





Sverice OF THE NEW WORLD 


When this game came to an end, the people 
_assembled at another place. Then Coyote put on a 
horn and walked around with it. He said, “I want 
that all the people should put on this horn. I want 
to see whom the horn will fit best.’’ Someone 
shouted, ‘Hey, my friend, it would never fit thee!”’ 
So he took it off right there, saying, “I want that 
thou shouldst try it, my friend Kingfisher.” Then 
Kingfisher put it on, but Coyote said, “It does not 
look good on thee. Thy name will just be Noise- 
maker. Thou shalt always be spearing salmon. Now 
thou shalt wear it, my friend,” said again Coyote to 
Crane. Then Crane put it on. He walked around 
but attempted to go to the ocean. Then Coyote said 
to him, ‘“‘It does not look good on thee; take it off. 
Thou wilt wade around for mud cats. Continuous 
~Wader shalt thou be.” (In like manner Pelican, 
Night Owl, Screech Owl, Day Owl, White Swan, 
Buzzard, Eagle, Vulture, and Woodpecker tried it 
on. ) 

Then Coyote said to Wolf, “Thou shalt try to 
wear it.” Wolf put it on, but he was acting bashful. 
“Tt does not fit thee even a little. Why art thou 
always ashamed? Take it off.” (In like manner 
Cougar, Wildcat, Beaver, Raccoon, and Otter tried 
on the horn.) Then the Grizzly Bear tried it on, 
and after he had it on he began to dance with it. 
Then everybody merely told him that he did not look 
well in it, because it was feared he should become too 
dangerous with a horn. Then Rabbit put it on and 


[ 223 


IN’ THE” LIGHT * (Otis 


ran with it in all directions. ‘Thou art too lean for 
it,’ said Coyote. And Rabbit said, “I do not like it. 
How will I be able to go around inside the brush? If 
only my name were Elk, then I could wear it habitu- 
ally. Only on Elk does it look well.” 

Then all the people said, “Let that Deer try it 
on.’ So Deer put it on and danced with it, and 
everybody told him that it simply fit him beautifully. 
And Coyote said to the Deer, “What shall be thy 
name?’ “Oh, Brother-to-Him shall be my name, 
because Elk is my elder brother.”’ 

Then finally Coyote spoke to Elk, “Thou shalt 
wear this thy feather. Whenever thou shalt have it 
on it shall be nothing to thee, even if thou shouldst 
have to creep customarily under the trees.” 

And then Elk ran around; even in bad places he 
kept on running around. And it is for this reason 
this deer has a horn. 


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ONE MORNING AT SUNRISE 






THE DEEP WATERS 


the same day were all the fountains of the 
great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were 
opened. 


GENESIS 7:1! 

It was after a long, long time of rain. The rivers 
were choked, the mountain torrents roared thunder- 
ingly down, and the sea crept silently up. For weeks 
and weeks it rained. ‘The level lands were first to 
float in sea water, then.to disappear. The slopes 
were next to slip into the sea. The world was slowly 
being flooded. WHurriedly the Indian tribes gathered 
in one spot on the circling shore of Lake Beautiful, 
a place of safety far above the reach of the on-creep- 
ing sea. Here they held a great council and decided 
at once upon a plan of action. A giant canoe should 
be built, and some means contrived to anchor it in 
case the waters mounted to the heights. “The men | 
undertook the canoe; the women, the anchorage. 
A giant tree was felled, and day and night the 
men toiled, carving from it the most stupendous 
canoe the world has ever known. Not an hour, not a 
moment, but many worked, while the toil-wearied 
ones slept, only to awake to renewed toil. Mean- 
while the women worked at the cable —the largest, 
the longest, the strongest, that Indian hands and 
teeth had ever made. Sccres of them gathered and > 
prepared the cedar fiber; scores of them plaited, 


From Pautine Jounson’s Legends of Vancouver published by McClelland : 
and Stewart, Ltd., Toronto. 


2203) 














Maen Or LHe NEW WORLD 


rolled, and seasoned it; scores of them chewed upon 
it inch by inch to make it pliable; scores of them oiled 
and worked it into a sea resisting fabric. And still 
the sea crept up, and up, and up. It was the last day; 
hope of life for the tribes, of land for the world, 
was doomed. Strong hands fastened the cable the 
women had made—one end to the giant canoe, the 
other about an enormous boulder, a great immovy- 
able rock as firm as the earth itself — for might not 
the canoe with its priceless freight, drift out, far out 
to sea, and when the water subsided might not this 
ship of safety be leagues and leagues beyond the 
sight of land on the storm-driven Pacific? 

Then the noble workers lifted every child of the 
tribes into this vast canoe; not one single baby was 
overlooked. ‘The canoe was stocked with food and 
fresh water. Lastly, the ancient men and women of 
the race selected as guardians to these children, the 
bravest, handsomest young man of the tribes, and 
the mother of the youngest babe. The mother was 
but a girl of sixteen, brave and very beautiful. The 
two were placed, she at the bow of the canoe to 
watch, he at the stern to guide, and all the little 
children were crowded in between. 

Still the sea crept up and up. At the crest of 
the bluffs about Lake Beautiful the doomed tribes 
crowded. Not a single person attempted to enter 
the canoe; there was no wailing, no crying out for 
safety. ‘‘Let the little children, the young mother, 
and the bravest of our young men live!”’ was all the 

ede, 





IN°- ‘THE “LIGHT, OFeeia 


farewell those in the canoe heard as the waters 
reached the summit and the canoe floated. Last of 
all to be seen was the top of the tallest tree, then all 
was a world of water. 

For days and days there was no land — just the ~ 
rush of swirling, snarling sea. The canoe rode safely 
at anchor, for the cable the faithful women had made 
held true as the hearts that beat behind their toil and 
labor. Then one morning at sunrise, far to the 
south, a speck floated on the breast of the waters; 
at midday it was larger; at evening it was yet larger. 
The moon arose, and in its magic light the man at 
the stern saw that the growing speck was a patch of 
land. All night he watched it grow, and at day- 
break he looked with glad eyes on the summit of 
Mount Baker. ‘hen he cut the cable, grasped his 
paddle in his strong young hands, and steered for 
the south. 

When the great canoe reached the shore, the 
waters were sunken half down the mountain side. 
The children were lifted out, and the young mother 
and the stalwart young brave clasped hands as they 
looked into each other’s eyes and smiled. Then 
they made a new camp, built new lodges where the 
children grew, thrived, lived, and loved; and the 
earth was repeopled by them. 

In a gigantic crevice halfway to the crest of 
Mount Baker may yet be seen the outlines of an — 
enormous canoe. 


228 | 


THE TULAMEEN TRAIL 


How the giant element 
From rock to rock leaps with delirious bound. 


One morning a chief’s daughter was loitering 
long the heights of the restless Tulameen. River, 
istening to the voice of its waters that sang and 
aughed through the rocky throat of the canyon 
hree hundred feet below. Sometimes she leaned 
wer the precipice to catch a glimpse of the river 
tself, white-garmented in the film of countless rapids 
ind dancing waterfalls. Suddenly she heard a slight 
ustle as though some passing bird’s wing had clipped 
he air. Then at her feet there fell a slender, deli- 
‘ately shaped arrow. It fell with spent force, and 
er Indian woodcraft told her that it had been shot 
o her, not at her. She started like a wild animal. 
Chen her quick eye caught the outline of a handsome 
‘rect figure that stood on the heights across the river. 
She did not know him as her father’s enemy; she 
nly saw him to be young, strong, and of manly 
yeauty. The spirit of youth and of a certain savage 
oquetry awoke within her. Quickly she fitted one 
f her own dainty arrows to the bowstring and sent 
t winging across the narrow canyon. It fell spent 
it his feet; and he knew that she had shot it to him, 
lot at him. 


From Pautint Jounson’s Legends of Vancouver published by McClelland 
nd Stewart, Ltd., Toronto. 


[ 229 


IN THE  ULLGH TT) Oe eee 


Next morning the maiden crept noiselessly to the 
brink of the heights. Would she see him again — 
that handsome brave? Would he speed another 
arrow to her? She had not yet emerged from the 
tangle of forest, before it fell, its faint-winged flight 
heralding its coming. Near the feathered end was 
tied a tassel of beautiful ermine tails. She took from 
her wrist a string of shell beads, fastened it to one 
of her little arrows, and winged it across the canyon 
as on the day before. 

The following morning, before leaving the lodge, 
she fastened the ermine tails in her straight, black 
hair. No arrow fell at her feet that day; but there 
on the brink of the precipice, he himself awaited her 
coming — he who had never left her thoughts since 
that first arrow came to her from his bowstring. His 
eyes burned with warm fires as she approached, but 
his lips said simply, ‘‘I have crossed the Tulameen 
River.” Together they stood side by side, looking 
into the depths before them and watching in silence 
the little torrent that rollicked over its boulders and 
crags. 

“That is my country,” he said, pointing across 
the river. ‘This is the country of your father and 
of your brothers. They are my enemies. I return 
to my own shore tonight. Will you come with me?” 

She looked up into his face. So this was her 
father’s foe, the dreaded Tulameen! 

‘Will you come?” he repeated. 

‘T will come,” she whispered. 


230 | 





eee Or THE NEW WORLD 


It was in the dark of the moon, and through the 
kindly night he led her far up the rocky shores to 
the narrow belt of quiet waters, where they crossed 
in silence into his own country. A week, a month, 
a long golden summer slipped by, but the insulted 
old chief and his enraged sons failed to find the 
Indian girl. 





Gayl Wane 


paodilt 


HER BROTHERS’ ARROWS BURIED IN HER FLESH 


Then one morning, as the lovers walked together 
on the heights above the far upper reaches of the 
river, even the ever-watchful eyes of the Tulameen 
failed to detect the lurking enemy. Across the nar- 
row canyon crouched and crept the two outwitted 
brothers of the girl wife at his side; their arrows 


[ 231 





IN THE. ‘LIGHT Ota 


were on their bowstrings, their hearts on fire with | 
hatred and vengeance. Like two evil-winged birds 
of prey, the arrows sped across the laughing river; 
but before they found their mark in the breast of 
the victorious Tulameen, the girl had unconsciously 
stepped before him. With a little sigh, she slipped 
into his arms, her brothers’ arrows buried in her 
soft brown flesh. 

It was many a moon before his avenging hand 
succeeded in slaying the old chief and those two 
hated sons of his. But when this was finally done 
the handsome young Tulameen left his people, his 
tribe, his country, and went into the far north. 
‘For,’ he said, as he sang his farewell war song, 
‘my heart lies buried in the Tulameen River.” 

And the spirit of his girl wife still sings through 
the canyon, its song blending with the music of that 
sweetest voiced river in all the great valleys of the 
west. his spirit never frees itself to rise above the 
heights and follow its fellows to the Happy Hunting 
Grounds, but is content to entwine its warbling laugh- 
ter, its lonely call for companionship, with the wild 
music of the waters that sing forever beneath the 
western stars. 





22230) 


EL CAPITAN 


Perseverance gains its meed, 


And patience wins the race. 
BERNARD BARTON 


There were once two little Indian boys living in 
the valley, who went down to the river to swim. 
After paddling and splashing about to their hearts’ 
content, they went on shore and crept up on a huge 
boulder which stood beside the water. ‘They lay 
down in the warm sunshine to dry themselves, but 
fell asleep. They slept so soundly that they knew 
nothing, though the great boulder grew day by day 
and rose night by night, until it lifted them up be- 
yond the sight of their tribe who looked for them 
everywhere. 

The rock grew until the boys were lifted high 
into the heaven, even far up above the blue sky, until 
they scraped their faces against the moon. And 
still, year after year, among the clouds they slept. 

Then there was held a great council of all the 
animals to bring the boys down from the top of the 
great rock. Every animal leaped as high as he could 
up the face of the rocky wall. Mouse could only 
jump as high as one’s hand; Rat, twice as high. 
Then Raccoon tried; he could jump a little farther. 
One after another the animals tried, and Grizzly 
Bear made a great leap, far up the wall, but fell 


From Katuarine B. Jupson’s Myths of California and the Old South- 
west published by A. C. McClurg & Company, Chicago. 
[ 233 


FALEXANOERS KEY 


SN atl/- 


Aly. 


Ay Ny 
vars AI 
SWAY ¥ 
GOAN 





WHITE MEN CALL IT EL CAPITAN 





Peeseeeor  LHE NEW: WORLD 


back. Last of all Lion tried, and he jumped farther 
than any other animal, but fell down upon his back. 
Then came tiny Measuring Worm, and began to 
creep up the rock. Soon he reached as high as 
Raccoon had jumped, then as high as Bear had 
reached, then as high as Lion’s leap, and by and by 


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x iNest arc, oa 
Rea 
Pa a a 


hy / 

WWigZe 
Ui 

WAM 





Se 
VAL 
ANAL 


ae 


THEY CREPT UPON A HUGE BOULDER 


he was out of sight, climbing up the face of the rock. 
For one whole snow, Measuring Worm climbed the 
rock, and at last he reached the top. ‘Then he 
wakened the boys, and came down the same way he 
went up, and brought them down safely to the 
ground. 

Therefore the great rock is called Tutokanula, 
the Measuring Worm. But white men call it El 
Capitan. 

[ 235 


BRIDAL VEIL FALL 


Was it the plash 


Of silvery water that amin ieee me? 
THOMAS WALSH 


The vast ravine of Yo Semite (Grizzly Bear)| 
formed by tearing apart the solid Sierras, is grace 
by many waterfalls raining down the mile-high cliffs) 
One of the most beautiful of these falls, called Brida! 
Veil, has a story attached to it. | 

Centuries ago, in the shelter of this valley, lived 
a great chief and his tribe. A good hunter was he} 
a thoughtful saver of crops and game for winter, <4 
wise chief, trusted and loved by his people. Whil¢ 
he was hunting one day, the lovely Tisayac, tutelary 
spirit of the valley, revealed herself to him. Fron} 
that moment he knew no peace, nor did he care fo} 
the well-being of his people; for she was not as they 
were: Her skin was white, her hair was golden, an< 
her eyes like heaven. Her speech was as a thrus!/ 
song; it led him to her. But when he opened hij 





the sky. | 

Yo Semite, lacking the direction of its chief, be} 
came a desert, and when Tisayac returned she wep} 
to see the corn lands grown with bushes, and bear{ 
rooting where the huts had been. Ona mighty dom¢ 
of rock she knelt and begged the Great Spirit td 


From C. M. SKinneEr’s Myths and Legends of Our Own Land publishe: 
by the J. B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia. 


236 | 





Maes OF THE NEW WORLD 


restore its virtue to the land. He did so, for, stoop- 
ing from the sky, he spread new life of green on all 
the valley floor, and smiting the mountains he broke 
a channel for the pent-up meltings of the snows, and 
the water ran and leaped far down, pooling in a lake 
below and flowing off to gladden other lands. The 
birds returned, the flowers sprang up, corn swayed 
in the breeze, and the people, coming back, gave the 
name of Tisayac to South Dome where she had knelt. 

Then came the chief home again, and, hearing 
that the Spirit had appeared, was smitten with love 
more strong than ever. Climbing to the crest of a 
rock that spires three thousand feet above the valley, 
he carved his likeness there with his hunting knife, 
so that his memory might live among his tribe. As 
he sat, tired with his work, he saw at the foot of 
Bridal Veil, with a rainbow arching around her, the 
form of Tisayac shining from the water. She smiled 
on him and beckoned. His quest was at an end. 
With a cry of joy he sprang into the fall and disap- 
peared with Tisayac. [wo rainbows quivered on 
the falling water and the sun went down. 





Beka 


MON DAMIN 


Tall and beautiful he stood there, 

In his garments green and yellow; 

To and fro his plumes above him 
Waved and nodded with his breathing. 


LONGFELLOW 


When the springtime came, long, long ago, an 
Indian bey departed from his father’s lodge and, 
alone in the forest, began his fast according to the 
custom of his tribe. His father was a very good 
man but he was not a good hunter, and often there 
was no food in their wigwam. As the boy wandered 
from his small tepee in the forest, he thought about 
these things. He looked at the plants and shrubs 
and wondered about their uses, and whether they 
were good for food. He thought, ‘“T must find out 
about these things in my vision.’ 

One day, as he lay stretched upon his bed ny: 
robes in the solitary wigwam, a handsome Indian 
youth came down from Sky Land. He was gaily 
dressed in robes of green and yellow, with a plume 
of waving feathers in his hand. 

“T am-sent to you, said the stran@enassamenn 
Great Mystery. He will teach you what you would 
know.” ‘Then he told the boy to rise and wrestle 
with him. The boy at once did so. At last the vis- 
itor said, “That is enough. I will come tomorrow.” 

The next day the beautiful stranger came again 


From KatuHarineE B. Jupson’s Myths of the Mississippi Valley published 
by A. C. McClurg & Company, Chicago. 


238 | 





Memeo OE THE NEW WORLD 


from Sky Land. Again the two wrestled until the 
stranger said, “That is enough. I will come to- 
morrow.’ 

The third day he came again. The fasting youth 
found his strength increase as he wrestled with the 


zz) 
a 





: } i qi b 
CANNY 


THEY WRESTLED LONG 


visitor. Then that one said, “It is enough. You 
have conquered.” He set himself down in the wig- 
wam. “The Great Mystery has granted your wish,”’ 
he said. ‘““Tomorrow when I come, after we have 
wrestled and you have thrown me down, you must 
strip off my garments. Clear the earth of roots and 
weeds, and bury my body. Then leave this place; 


[ 239 





IN THE LIGHT OF fir 








but come often and keep the earth soft, and pull up 
the weeds. Let no grass or weeds grow on my 
grave.” Then he went away, but first he said, 
‘Touch no food until after we wrestle tomorrow.” 

The next morning the father brought food to his 
son; it was the seventh day of fasting. But the boy 
refused until the evening should come. Again came 
the handsome youth from Sky Land. They wrestled 
long until he fell to the earth. Then the Indian boy 
took off the green and yellow robes, and buried his 
friend in soft, fresh earth. Thus the vision had come 
to him. 

Then the boy returned to his father’s lodge, for 
his fasting was ended. Yet he remembered-the com- 
mands of the stranger from Sky Land. Often he 
visited the grave, keeping it soft and fresh, pulling 
up weeds and grass. And when people were saying 
that the Summer-maker would soon go away and the 
Winter-maker come, the boy went with his father to 
the place where his wigwam had stood in the forest 
while he fasted. There they found a tall and grace- 
ful plant, with bright silky hair, and green and yellow 
robes. 

‘It is Mondamin,”’ said the boy. ‘It is Monda- 
min, the corn.”’ 











HIAWATHA 


Listen to these wild traditions, 
To this Song of Hiawatha, 
Ye who love a nation’s legends! 


Hiawatha is one of the best known heroes of 
ndian legend. He came to earth on a mission, 
eaching justice, fortitude, and forbearance to the 
ed men, showing them how to improve their handi- 
raft, and ridding the woods and hills of monsters. 
de was brought up as an Indian boy, took to wife 
he Dakota girl, Minnehaha (Laughing Water), 
iunted, fought, lived as a warrior, and suffered the 
‘ommon pains and adversities of his kind. Although 
| giant in form, he could, when need came, change 
umself to any shape of bird, fish, or plant that he 
vished. To friends he spoke in the voice of a 
voman; to enemies, in tones like thunder. 

Many and curious were the adventures of Hia- 
watha’s life. As he fished one day in one of the 
sreat Lakes, in his white stone canoe that moved 
whither he willed it, he and his boat were swallowed 
vy the king of fishes. He killed the creature by beat- 
ng at its heart with a stone club, and when the gulls 
1ad preyed on its flesh as it lay floating on the sur- 
face, until he could see daylight, he clambered 
hrough the opening they had made and returned to 
us lodge. 


From C. M. SKINNER’s Myths and Legends of Our Own Land published 
yy the J. B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia. 


[ 241 








IN THE LIGHT OV eyes 





As an antagonist he was invincible; few dare 
to resist him in battle. Believing that his father ha: 
killed his mother, he fought against him for severa 
days, driving him to the edge of the world befor 
peace was made between them. Upon another oc 
casion, Pearly Feather, an evil brave, had slain on 
of his relatives, and Hiawatha avenged the crime 
Pressing through a guard of fire-breathing serpent 
which surrounded his wicked enemy, he shot then 
with arrows as they struck at him, and having thu 
reached the lodge of Pearly Feather engaged hin 
incombat. All day long they battled to no purpose 
Toward evening a woodpecker flew overhead 
‘Shoot at your enemy’s scalp lock,” cried the bird 
Hiawatha did so and the foe fell dead. In returt 
for the service of the woodpecker, Hiawatha 
anointing his finger with the blood of the foe 
touched the bird’s head, and the red mark is founc 
on the woodpecker to this day. 

Because the kingfisher led him to the home of the 
prince of serpents, a deadly enemy whom he after. 
wards slew in mortal combat, Hiawatha invested the 
bird with a medal. He rumpled its head feathers ir 
putting the medal on; hence all kingfishers have 
topknots and wear white spots on their breasts. 

A duck once led Hiawatha a long chase when he 
was trying to capture it for food. He angrily kicked 
it, flattening its back, bowing its legs, and despoiling 
it of half of its tail feathers. That is why, to this 
day, ducks are awkward. 


242 | 





finer. THE NEW «WORLD 


Hiawatha is thought to have made his home at 
Mackinac, and to have hunted the beaver and fought 
the serpents on the shores of Lake Superior. Many 
traces of his life and deeds are still to be found: 
Huge boulders strewn along the banks of the upper 
Mississippi are the missiles that he used in the com- 
bat with his father; a depression in a rock on the 





HIAWATHA ENTERED HIS STONE CANOE 


southern edge of Michipicoten Bay is where he 
alighted after a jump across the lake; a larger de- 
pression near Thunder Bay marks the place where 
he sat when smoking his last pipe; the big rocks on 
the east side of Grand Traverse Bay are the bones 
of a stone monster he slew. 

After killing the prince of serpents, Hiawatha 
traveled all over America doing good work. On 


[ 243 








IN: THE LIGHT Of a 


reaching Onadaga he organized a friendly league of 
thirteen tribes that endured for many years. This 
closed his mission. As he stood in the assemblage 
of chiefs, a white bird, appearing at an immense 
height, descended like a meteor, struck Hiawatha’s 
daughter with such force as to drive her into the 
earth, and shattered itself against the ground. Hia- 
watha recognized the summons. He addressed his 
companions in tones of such sweetness and terms of 
such eloquence as had never been heard before, urg- 
ing them to live uprightly and to enforce good laws. 
Then promising to return when the time was ripe, 
he entered his stone canoe and began to rise in air 
to strains of melting music. Higher and higher he 
arose, the white vessel shining in the sunlight, until 
he disappeared in the spaces of the sky. His chiefs, 
who beheld his strange summons and departure, 
gathered up the silvery feathers of the white mes- 
senger bird and, preserving them as ornaments for 
their hair, established a custom of wearing feather 
headdress that has endured to our time. Ghost 
dances and similar demonstrations came about 
through the Indians’ expectancy of the return of 
Hiawatha. | 

On the east side of Thunder Bay extends a great 
mountain three miles long, which, from the water, 
resembles a man lying on his back. Under this moun- 
tain, as some. legends recount it, Hiawatha lies 
buried. The red man makes oblation, as he rows 
past, by dropping a pinch of tobacco into the water. 


244 | 


THE SKY WALKER OF HURON 


till the Moon 
Rising in cloudy majesty, at length, 
Apparent queen, unveiled her peerless light, 
And o’er the dark her silver mantle threw. 
MILTON 


Cloud Catcher, a handsome youth of the Ojib- 
ways, offended his family by refusing to fast during 
the ceremony of his coming of age, and was put out 
of the paternal wigwam. It was so fine a night that 
the sky served him as well as a roof, and he had a 
boy’s confidence in his ability to make a living — 
and something of fame and fortune, maybe. He 
dropped upon a tuft of moss to plan for his future, 
and drowsily noted the rising of the moon, which 
he seemed to see as a face. On awaking he found 
that it was not day, yet the darkness was half dis- 
pelled by light that rayed from a figure near him — 
the figure of a lovely woman. 

“Cloud Catcher, I have come for you,”’ she said. 
And as she turned, away he felt impelled to rise and 
follow. But, instead of walking, she began to move 
into the air with the flight of an eagle, and, endowed 
with a new power, he too ascended beside her. The 
earth was dim and vast below, stars blazed as they 
drew near them, yet the radiance of the woman 
seemed to dull their glory. Presently they passed 


From C, M. SKInnER’s Myths and Legends of Our Own Land published 
by the J. B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia. 


[ 245 





IN THE LIGHT OF a 


through a gate of clouds and stood on a beautiful 
plain, with crystal ponds and brooks watering noble 
trees and leagues of flowery meadow. Birds of 
brightest colors darted here and there, singing like 
flutes; the very stones were of agate and jasper. An 
immense lodge stood on the plain, and within were 
embroideries and ornaments, couches of rich furs, 
pipes and arms cut from jasper and tipped with sil- 
ver. While the young man was gazing around him 
with delight, the brother of his guide appeared and 
reproved her, advising her to send the young man 
back to earth at once; but, as she flatly refused to 
do so, he gave a pipe and bow and arrows to Cloud 
Catcher, as a token of his consent to their marriage. 

This brother, who was commanding, tall, and so 
dazzling in his gold and silver ornaments that one 
could hardly look upon him, was abroad all day, 
while his sister was absent for a part of the night. 
He permitted Cloud Catcher to go with him on one 
of his daily walks, and as they crossed the lovely 
Sky Land they glanced down through open valley 
bottoms on the green earth below. On arriving at 
a spot where a large hole had been broken through 
the sky, they reclined on mats; and the tall man, loos- 
ing one of his silver ornaments, flung it into a group 
of children playing before a lodge. One of the little 
ones fell, and was carried within amid lamentations. 
Then the villagers left their sports and labors and 
looked up at the sky. The tall man cried in a voice 
of thunder, “Offer a sacrifice and the child shall be 


246 | 





eee Or. THE NEW. WORLD 


well again.”” A white dog was killed and roasted, 
_and in a twinkling it shot up to the feet of Cloud 
Catcher, who, being hungry, attacked it voraciously. 

Many such walks and feasts came after, and the 
sights of earth filled the mortal with a longing to 
see his people again. He told his wife that he 
wanted to go back. She consented, after a time, 
Saying, Since you are better pleased with the cares, 
the labor, and the poverty of the world than with 
the comfort and abundance of Sky Land, you may 
return; but remember, you are still my husband, and 
beware how you venture to take an earthly maiden 
for a wife.” 

She arose lightly, clasped Cloud Catcher by the 
wrist, and began to move with him through the air. 
The motion lulled him and he fell asleep, waking at 
the door of his father’s lodge. His relatives gath- 
ered and gave him welcome, and he learned that he 
had been in the sky for a year. 

But after his life in Sky Land he took the priva- 
tions of a hunter’s and warrior’s life less kindly than 
he thought to, and after a time, enlivened its mo- 
notony by taking to wife a bright-eyed girl of his 
tribe. In four days she was dead. ‘The lesson was 
unheeded and he married again. Shortly after, he 
stepped from his lodge one evening and never came 
back. The woods were filled with a strange radiance 
on that night, and it is asserted that Cloud Catcher 
was taken back to the lodge of the Sun and Moon, 
and is now content to live in heaven. 

[ 247 


THE RABBIT AND THE SUN 


Let others hail the rising fae 

The Rabbit and his grandmother lived in a tent. 
He used to go hunting every day, very early in the 
morning. But though he used to go very early every 
morning, it happened that a person with very long 
feet had passed ahead of him. For many days the 
Rabbit wished to know what sort of person this man 
was. He continued to think, “I will reach there 
before him!” Nevertheless, it always happened that 
the person with the large feet had gone ahead of 
him. 

So one day the Rabbit went home, and said to 
his grandmother, “O grandmother, though I have 
long desired to be the first to get there, again has 
he gotten there ahead of me! O grandmother, I 
will make a trap, and I will place it in the road, and 
thus I will catch him.” 

‘Why will you do that ?” said his grandmother. 

‘‘T hate the person,” said the Rabbit. 

He departed. On reaching the place, he found 
that the person had already departed. So the Rabbit 
lay near by, awaiting the coming of night. That 
night he went to the place where the person with 
large feet had been passing, and there he set the 
trap, a noose. 


Reprinted by permission of the Bureau or AmERICAN ETHNOLOGY from 
Dictionary of Biloxi and Ofo Languages. 


248 | 





oer THE NEW: -WoRLD 


Very early the next morning he went to look at 
the trap. Behold, the Sun had been caught! The 
Rabbit ran home with all his might. When he 
reached there, he told his grandmother what he had 
seen. “O grandmother, I have caught something or 
other, but it scared me. I wished to take the noose, 
but the thing scared me every time that I tried to 
get it,” said the Rabbit. 

Then the Rabbit seized a knife and went again to 
the place of adventure. He went very near the 
strange being, who thus addressed him: ‘‘You have 
done very wrong! Come and release me!’ The 
Rabbit did not go directly toward him, but passed 
to one side of him. He bowed his head, and cut the 
noose with a knife. The Sun went up above. But 
before he went, he had scorched the fur between the 
Rabbit’s shoulders. Then the Rabbit ran home 
screaming with pain. 

“Ouch! I have been burned severely!’’ said the 
Rabbit. 

‘Alas! this time has my grandson been burned 
severely,” said the grandmother. 


The end. 





[ 249 


THE BRIDE OF NIAGARA 


Her tremendous cataracts thundering in their solitudes. 
IRVING 


The endless clamor of the cataract was a voice 
demanding a victim. Yearly, in order to. satisfy the 
Spirit of the Waters and to protect the lives of his 
people, the war chief must offer a sacrifice chosen 
from among the daughters of the tribe. Every 
spring, a white canoe, light as a shell and decorated 
with fruits and flowers, carried the chosen bride of 
Manitou over the brink of the precipice. Canoe and 
maiden were lost in the rolling thunder and white 
chaos below, but the spirit of the bride passed to the 
Happy Hunting Ground, there to reign in joy and 
peace. 

One year, White Cloud, the daughter of Chief 
Eagle Eye, was chosen to be the honored sacrifice. 
It was in the moon of green leaves that the tribes 
assembled to witness the sailing of the white canoe. 
At the meeting place above the rapids of the fast 
flowing river they gathered in great numbers, for 
White Cloud was a favorite of her father’s people. 
The heart of Eagle Eye was heavy. For him, the 
eyes of his lovely daughter carried the light of an 
Indian summer day, and the flush of her cheek was 
the rose of the dawn. But without sign of grief or 
affection he watched the ceremony. 

White Cloud descended the river bank to the 
waiting canoe that floated like a leaf at the edge of 


250 | 





Tee Or’ THE NEW “WORLD 


the water. She was small. About her shoulders 
dark hair fell like a silken web, and she carried a 
bundle of willow buds in her arms. Her dress was 
of sweet grass and maple leaves and her tiny soft 
moccasins were embroidered with flowers. Her heart 


i; K) 
WH PY 
Sipetanl(y 


Prog 


( 


Ppy, 
mo) 
lleses 
US 3 
WS 


| 
4 
5 yd 


mn 
E 


Mae Oey 
o 


IU 





A WHITE CANOE CARRIED THE BRIDE OVER THE BRINK 


seemed fearless, for her words of farewell fell soft 

as the patter of rain on green leaves. 
She ‘took her place, and the little canoe was 
pushed toward the middle of the stream. There, in- 
[ 251 





IN. THE LIGHT Oj 


stantly caught by the swift, strong current, it was 
off, skimming the surface of the water like a strange 
bird. White Cloud sat erect, her long hair tossing 
winglike on the wind. 

When the little bark had swung well into the 
current, the old chief, Eagle Eye, could control his 
feeling no longer. Nota sound escaped his lips, but 
swift as thought he leaped into his own canoe, drove 
it with mighty strokes into midstream, and sped 
after his daughter. Down the river with ever grow- 
ing speed shot the canoes, the larger one gaining on 
the smaller. Faster and faster toward the verge, 
amid riotous waves and hissing clouds of spray! 
But ere they plunged into the sheer descent, the Great 
Spirit, well pleased with the double sacrifice, changed 
both father and daughter into spirits of strength and 
beauty — she, into the maid of the mist; he, into the 
power of the waterfall. 

No more is the white canoe sent down the sound- 
ing river, for the smile of the Great Spirit rests upon 
its waters, and the voice of its mighty cataract is 
music to the ear. Changing clouds of white mist, 
rolling, rising, and falling, play forever in the sun- 
light above the dark strong waters of Niagara. 





252 | 


THE GREAT STONE FACE * 


The Almighty has placed His sign on that cliff to 
indicate that He makes men here. 
DANIEL WEBSTER 


The Great Stone Face is a work of Nature in 
her mood of majestic playfulness, formed on the 
perpendicular side of a mountain. It seems as if 
an enormous giant has sculptured his own likeness 
on the precipice. There is the broad arch of the 
forehead, a hundred feet in height; the nose with its 
long bridge; and the vast lips, which, if they could 
speak, would roll their thunder accents from one 
end of the valley to the other. In the distance, with 
the clouds and glorified vapor of the mountains clus- 
tering about, the Great Stone Face seems positively 
to be alive. It is an education only to look at it, and 
a happy lot for children to grow up to manhood or 
womanhood with this vision before their eyes. All 
the features are noble; and the expression is at once 
grand and sweet, as if it were the glow of a vast 
warm heart that embraced all mankind in its aftec- 
tions, and had room for more. 

To the Indians who formerly inhabited this 
valley a prophecy had been handed down. They had 
heard it from their forefathers to whom it had been 
murmured by the mountain streams and whispered 
by the wind among the tree tops. The purport was 
that at some future day a child should be born here- 


* Adapted from Nathaniel Hawthorne’s version of this story. 


L253 





IN THE LIGHT OR sie 


abouts, who was destined to become the greatest and 
noblest personage of his time, and whose counte- 
nance, in manhood, should bear an exact resem- 
blance to the Great Stone Face. 

At different times, as the years rolled by, rumors 
went throughout the valley that the great man, fore- 
told from ages long ago, had appeared at last. First, 
a man of enormous wealth was acclaimed by the 
people as the very image of the Great Stone Face. 
Then came an illustrious general of military fame, 
and later an eminent statesman whose tongue was 
mightier than the rich man’s wealth or the warrior’s: 
sword. [ach in his turn was proclaimed the man 
of prophecy, but each in his turn proved a sad illu- 
sion. The rich man’s look of sordid shrewdness bore 
no resemblance to the noble features on the mountain 
side; and the warworn countenance of the general, 
though expressive of energy and an iron will, lacked 
wisdom and broad tender sympathy. In the expres- 
sion of the statesman something had been left out 
or had departed. There was a weary gloom in the 
caverns of his eyes, as of a man whose life, with all 
its high performances, was empty of high purpose 
and reality. 

Meantime, in a simple log cottage of the valley, 
a happy child grew from boyhood to manhood. 
Ernest, for that was his name, had often heard from 
his mother the prophecy concerning the Great Stone 
Face, and the story was ever in his mind whenever 
he looked at the majestic image on the mountain side. 


254 | 


Ween Ob - THE ~NEW: WORLD 


To the quiet, sun-browned boy, the Great Stone Face 
became a teacher, and more and more, as the swift 
years carfied him toward manhood, he loved to gaze 
and meditate upon it. But he was industrious, kind, 
and neighborly, and neglected no duty for the sake 
of indulging this habit. The sentiment expressed in 
the Great Stone Face enlarged the young man’s 
heart and filled it with a wide and deep sympathy. 
His thoughts, whenever he communed with himself, 
were of a higher tone than those which all men 
shared with him, for Ernest could discern in the 
Great Stone Face what other people could not see, 
and love which was meant for all became his peculiar 
portion. 

With the other inhabitants of the valley Ernest 
had hopefully and patiently waited for the fulfill- 
ment of the great prophecy, and with them he had 
been disappointed when each of the rumors proved 
false. Still, he had faith that he might some day 
behold the living likeness of those wondrous fea- 
tures that he loved. 

By degrees, as the years sped tranquilly away, 
Ernest became known among the people. He still 
labored for his bread, and was the same simple- 
hearted man that he had always been, but he had 
thought and felt so much, he had given so many 
hours of his life to hopes for some great good for 
mankind, that it seemed he had imbibed some of 
the wisdom of the angels. Not a day passed that 
the world was not better because he lived. The high 


[255 





IN - THE: CIGHT “ORM 


simplicity of his thought flowed forth in his speech, 
and the truths he uttered molded the lives of those 
who heard him. 4 

By the time the years had brought white hairs and 
scattered them over the head of Ernest, unsought- 
for fame had come and made him known in the 
great world beyond the limits of the quiet valley. 
Statesmen, sages, philosophers, came from afar to 
see and converse with him. ‘The venerable old man 
received them all with the gentle sincerity that had 
characterized him from boyhood, and spoke freely 
with them of whatever lay deepest in his heart or 
their own. 

One summer evening a great poet visited the 
humble cottage of Ernest. The songs of this poet 
had already made their way to Ernest, and his sou! 
had been thrilled by their beauty. Now as the two 
conversed, seated on a bench before the doorway, 
it seemed that the Great Stone Face was bending for- 
ward to listen. Ernest, soaring with the poet into 
high and beautiful flights of thought, lifted his eyes 
to the mountain side. ‘“O majestic friend,’ he mur- 
mured, “is not this poet worthy to resemble thee ?”’ 

But the poet sadly shook his head and made 
reply: “My songs, indeed, have a far-off echo of 
divinity; they have glorified the lives of all who 
have crossed my path. But my life, dear Ernest, has 
not corresponded with my thought, for I have lacked 
the faith to which I have given expression. I have 
had grand dreams, but they have been only dreams.” 
256 | 





Meee Or THE NEW  -worRLpD 


Later that evening, at the hour of sunset, Ernest, 
as had long been his custom, spoke to an assemblage 
of his friends and neighbors in the open air. Accom- 
panied by the poet, he proceeded to the spot. As he 
ascended into his natural pulpit, set in a rich frame- 
work of verdure, he threw a look of familiar kind- 
ness round upon his audience who stood or sat upon 
the grass. The departing sunshine fell obliquely over 
them. At a distance, high up in the golden light of 
the setting sun, with hoary mists around it, appeared 
the Great Stone Face, its look of grand beneficence 
seeming to embrace the world. Ernest began to 
speak; his words and thoughts were full of power 
because they harmonized with the life which he had 
always lived. Suddenly his mild sweet countenance, 
in sympathy with a thought which he was about to 
utter, assumed a grandeur of expression, and the 
deep-sighted poet exclaimed, ‘‘Behold, Ernest is him- 
self the likeness of the Great Stone Face!”’ 

The people looked and saw that the prophecy 
was fulfilled. But Ernest, having finished what he 
had to say, walked slowly homeward, still hoping 
that some wiser and better man would by and by 
appear, bearing a resemblance to the Great Stone 
Face. 





THE BAKER’S DOZEN 


In vain we call old nations fudge 


And bend our conscience to our dealing. 
LOWELL 


Baas Volckert Jan Pietersen van Amsterdam 
kept a bakeshop in Albany, and lives in history as 
the man who invented New Year cakes and made 
gingerbread babies in the likeness of his own fat 
offspring. Good churchman though he was, the bane 
of his life was a fear of being bewitched. Perhaps 
it was to keep out evil spirits, who might make one 
last effort to gain the mastery over him ere he turned 
the customary new leaf with the incoming year, that 
he had primed himself with an extra glass of spirits 
on the last night of 1654. His sales had been brisk, 
and as he sat in his little shop meditating comfort- 
ably on the gains he would make when his harmless 
rivals, the knikkerbakkers (bakers of marbles), sent 
for their usual supply of olie-koeks and mince pies 
on the morrow, he was startled by a sharp rap, and 
an ugly old woman entered. 

“Give me a dozen New Year’s cookies!” she 
cried in a shrill voice. 

‘Vell, den, you needn’ sbeak so loud. JI aind 
teaf, den.” 

‘A dozen!” she screamed. ‘“‘Give me a dozen. 
Here are only twelve.” 


From C. M. Sk1nner’s Myths and Legends of Our Own Land published 
by the J. B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia, 


258 | 





Veeder | PHE  NEW. .“WORELD 


“Vell, den, dwalf is a dozen.”’ 

“One more! I want a dozen.”’ 

“Vell, den, if you vant anodder, go to de duyvil 
and ged it!” 


Can 230: rE : ne Cnn 
= Pee Ms br SY WH . = Pt simoaet 
a. , 5OX Her EY tot) 
yl Ox f S 
tne vy Eu ey ‘ MO) a) (an) 


— —Zfr 
SK 
pene ceaguppenguine 


Me nd | igs 


me 


| 


yy 


We 


i 


a 
\eirmes e 


we, c= Gigi 
ph PO 
Cee I 
> i ~ a 2= SSS 


IT SEEMED AS IF VOLCKERT WERE BEWITCHED 


Did the hag take him at his word? She left the 
shop, and from that time it seemed as if poor Volc- 
kert were bewitched, indeed. His cakes were stolen; 
his bread was so light that it went up the chimney, 
when it was not so heavy that it fell through the 
oven; invisible hands plucked bricks from that same 


[ 259 








IN THE | LIGHT)” Ose 


oven and pelted him until he was blue; his wife be- 
came deaf, his children went unkempt, and his trade 
went elsewhere. Thrice the old woman reappeared, 
and each time was sent anew to the devil; but at last, 
in despair, the baker called on Saint Nicholas to 
come and advise him. 

The call was answered with startling quickness, 
for, almost while he was making it, the venerable 
patron of Dutch feasts stood before him. The good 
soul advised the trembling man to be more generous 
in his dealings with his fellows. After his lecture on 
charity, Saint Nicholas suddenly vanished; and lo, 
the old woman was there in his place! 

She repeated her demand for one more cake, and 
Volckert Jan Pietersen van Amsterdam gave it, 
whereupon she exclaimed: ‘The spell is broken, 
and from this time a dozen is thirteen!” ‘Taking 
from the counter a gingerbread effigy of Saint Nich- 
olas, she made the astonished Dutchman lay his 
hand upon it and swear to give more liberal measure 
in the future. 

So, until thirteen new States arose from the ruins 
of the Colonies, when the shrewd Yankees restored 
the original number, thirteen made a baker’s dozen. 





260 | 


THE ALLIGATOR TREE 


Experience is the teacher of fools. 
LIV 


What the English call the alligator tree, that 
grows on the Tehuantepec isthmus, is known to the 
natives as the “‘alligator’s tail.” It affords a wood 
that promises to be of value in the building arts, and 
its rough thorny bark suggests the skin of the lizard 
whose name it takes. 

In days of old the alligator was more respected 
than now, but for a different reason. It was be- 
cause he was wise. He was represented in stone, 
clay, and wood; he was painted on walls, and princes 
bowed before him. He became vastly proud of this 
distinction, and began to put on airs about it. Among 
the beliefs in his family was that of its need to live 
among the rivers. Salt water and cold water meant 
death. But the younger members of the tribe were 
discontented. They sniffed at the axioms of the 
fathers, and scorned the notion that they were to 
stay in one country forever. They would travel and 
learn. 

Now they had heard men talking of the land 
beyond the mountains, where great cities were; of a 
sea that spread to the world’s edge; of alligators 
larger and wiser than those of the Gulf side. They 
held a meeting in the deepest and darkest forest on 


From C. M. “pig tials Myths and Legends Beyond Our Borders pub- 
lished by the J. B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia. 
[ 261 





IN THE -LIGHT Oya 


the Coatzacoalcos River and derided their elders for 
superstitious old fossils, and resolved to be at least 
as free as men were. ‘Those queer little creatures, 
with only two legs, thin skins, and no teeth to speak 
of, who cannot stay a minute under water, nor go 
for two days without food — they travel where they 
like, and why, therefore, should not we? Their gods 


=—A° = ae Ds 
SSct=: Ye 
SAS = 8 se 2 
Snr Ad oY 
OR A/ 
Keays te | Uy rt 


IN 


q) ¢ 2" 

Soe eee 2 OO OR Tim 
23 =! ON anenaen ROI 
os Se LEER 

Pe 02s y) 0) 6, Silat ra ae \} atl | 4 
2 CUR ie 
Ge hh i) iat i NS 
(/ z Vad ind GELN Ki 
A|s¢ AU ; ° SESSA) KEM 4 


THE ALLIGATOR WOULD TRAVEL AND LEARN 


4 





dist 


are surely their betters; the whole earth should be 
ours.” 

This speech, by one of the party, was instantly 
approved, and soon after, a crowd of young alli- 
gators, several hundred in number, began the pas- 
sage of the mountains. ‘They ascended the river 
through the night, coming into an open country near 
the hills just as the sun was rising. Great was the 
surprise of all of them to find that the river was 
262 | 





Vee) rt) ~LHE »- NEW “WORLD 


coming to an end, for they had supposed that they 
could cross to the Pacific without walking on dry 
ground. What excited their alarm also, was the 
chill. ‘he water grew so cold as they ascended that 
they could finally bear it no longer, but climbed upon 
the bank where the sun fell warm upon them, and 
fell asleep. At nightfall came a god of the hills. 
“What are these monsters doing in my country?” 
he cried. ‘Have I not warned all creatures of the 
coast to keep to their own kingdom? Come, spirits 
of the springs, up with you, and help me to punish 
these fellows.” 

Then came the water elves capering down the 
hillsides, curling and fawning about his feet, making 
a gurgling laughter as they thought of the surprise 
in store for the alligators. They whirled about and 
about until each had bored a hole two or three feet 
deep in the earth; then they seized the sleeping rep- 
tiles, and plunged them, head first, into the holes, 
with their tails in the air; and there they are at the 
edge of the tierra templada, to this day. 

One alligator, who had awakened and hidden 
himself in the woods when the water sprites came 
down, escaped and swam down the river to his old 
home, where he told the sorrowing parents of the 
fate that had come upon the youngsters in punish- 
ment of their rashness. All in vain the elders 
mourned. Never since then have the alligators tried 
their fortunes out of the warm coast lands and 
waters. 


[ 263 


EL DORADO 


“Over the mountains of the Moon, 
Down the Valley of the Shadow, 
Ride, boldly ride,” the Shade replied, 
“Tf you seek for El Dorado.” 


POE 


Somewhere: beyond the Andes, in a beautiful 
country rich in emeralds, silver, and gold, ruled El 
Dorado, the Gilded King. The custom prevailed in 
this mystic land for each chieftain prince who was 
to become the ruler of his city and province to make 
costly oblation to his pagan god. Accordingly, after 
a long fast, the prince disrobed and anointed his 
regal body with fragrant oil and balsam. His at- 
tendants then blew upon him through hollow reeds 
or canes, powdered gold of delicate fineness, until 
his body was covered from head to foot with the 
precious metal. Resplendent as the beaming sun, the 
gilded chieftain then went aboard a raft and floated 
out upon a sacred lake. Heaped all about him, and 
ladening the raft deep into the water, were quantities 
of gold and silver and emeralds, rare ornaments, fine 
trinkets, and costly vessels. When the treasure boat 
arrived at the middle of the lake, the gilded chief 
made a prayer, at the same time pouring all his rich 
offering into the deep sacred waters. During this 
ceremony, his subjects, a vast multitude of men and 
women who had gathered around the lake, sang, 
chanted, and played on curious musical instruments. 
When the lightened raft returned to shore the people 


264 | 





eee Or 2 DHE NEW?” WORLD 


received their prince amid loud acclamations, music, 
and general rejoicing. His soldiers then formally 
dubbed him FE] Dorado, the Gilded King, their lord 
and prince. 

In time the name FE] Dorado was synonymous 
with inexhaustible wealth; it was applied not only 
to the king himself, but to the city in which he lived, 
the province over which he ruled, and the lake into 
which he poured his treasure. 


sanneatt, ‘asaturCiancaattte 


“t 





THE GILDED CHIEFTAIN WENT ABOARD A RAFT 


The myth of -El Dorado was first told by the 
Indians of South America, who, it is believed, de- 
vised it as a means of getting rid of Spanish invaders 
by luring them on to war with distant and hostile 
tribes. Promise of hidden treasure thrilled the 
hearts of thousands of fortune seekers, and colored 
the early history of tropical America with adventure 


[ 265 





LN THE LIGHT: | Oe 


and romance. Eager, credulous Spaniards scoured 
the continent of South America from Pacific to At- 
lantic, from the Amazon to the Caribbean, in search 
of the ever-alluring, ever-elusive E] Dorado. The 
years devoted to the quest were years of accident, 
tragedy, crime, and intrigue. Eager bands in pursuit 
of the Gilded King scaled mountain ranges, and 
pushed through dense tangled forests, exploring 
tawny rivers, sultry lowlands, and vast plateaus 
hitherto unknown to the world. With their thirst 
for gold was a love of glory and a sense of patriot- 
ism. Neither heat, cold, disease, nor famine could 
discourage the adventurers, who, with a yearning 
hope that would not die, clung to the belief in a 
beautiful empire and a great and golden city holding 
treasure untold. 

This strange golden phantom lured generation 
after generation, and whether in the guise of a gilded 
king, a golden city, a country rich in precious metal, 
or a lake with an aureate strand, held its place in 
the dreams and hopes of man under the name of 


E] Dorado. 





266 | 


THE MEDAL AND THE ORCHID 


Who never sold the truth to serve the hour. 
TENNYSON 


When the beauty of the orchid first became 
. known to the world, rich amateurs offered small for- 
tunes for large and striking specimens. Fabulous 
tales were told of orchids marvelous in size and ex- 
quisite in color growing on the trees of the Amazon 
forests, and seekers from afar invaded these forests 
in search of this rare and lovely plant of the air. 

At this time a French nobleman offered a prize 
for the most beautiful flower that could be found 
for the Easter festival. Pierre, a sensitive religious 
young botanist, who had spent his life studying in 
the company of woods and mountains, had a great 
desire to obtain for the festival a beautiful orchid. 
He loved the strange new flower; it was to him a 
mystery, a problem, and a symbol. The nobleman, 
knowing Pierre’s love for orchids, gave him money 
for a trip to Guiana, also a precious gold medal. 
which the Pope had blessed. ‘The young man landed 
in Cayenne, and, careless of malaria, tormenting in- 
sects, wild beasts, and loathsome snakes, set off at 
once for the highlands near Mount Roraima. 

Just before he reached his destination he was 
encountered by a tribe of hill savages who refused 
to believe that he had traveled all the way from the 


From C. M. SxkInner’s Myths and Legends Beyond Our Borders pub- 
lished by the J. \B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia. 
| [ 267 





IN THE’ LIGHT) (OP Gea 





farther shore of the great water to seek flowers. 
They had seen enough of white men to know how 
many vices could be indulged with gold, so they 
captured Pierre, searched his pockets, and took his 
money. 

“Ts this all?’ asked the chief, holding the coins 
before his captive. | 

Pierre was about to answer “yes,” but as he 


Via 


) 


_——— 
438 
. 


hy 4i 
COT) 
yt ( Wh iy] 


ox 4 \ vier, (is “ 
———_ el 


’ 
——— — 


— 


V4 py fapse-- 


“s 
= 


—, 





SEEKERS FROM AFAR INVADED THESE FORESTS 


placed his hand on his heart he fe!t the medal there. 

“All?” demanded the chief again. 

Pierre could not lie. He bit his lip. It was 
hard to be robbed of every coin and be forced to give 
up his medal also. Its gold value was five hundred 
francs; the blessing it carried was without price. He 
had hoped to keep it always, or to part with it only 
if it were necessary to assure his return to France. 
268 | 


Peewee or oT HE U6UNEW. WORLD 


But he shook his head, parted his clothing at the 
throat, and revealed the medal. 

. “The lad will not lie, yet he is white!’ exclaimed 
one of his captors in astonishment. 

“It is his soul that is white,” declared another. 

The people would not touch the medal. Pierre 
had won them. They made a bed of fragrant leaves 
for him, and he slept unguarded until the call of the 
birds aroused him in the morning. When the In- 
dians had shared their meal with him they gave back 
the money that they had taken. ‘You are good,” 
they said. ‘You do not deceive. Keep your coins 
and rest. We will help you.” 

The people dispersed and did not return until 
night. When they came back they were laden with 
the strangest and most exquisite orchid blossoms, 
whose heavy perfume was almost overpowering. 
One of these was of remarkable size and color, and 
that one, Pierre knew, would win the prize. He 
carefully detached the plant from the tree to which 
it had fastened, and some weeks afterward it 
bloomed in Notre Dame. The wonder and admira- 
‘tion of the people were almost reward enough for 
all Pierre’s toil and hardship. With the money he 
received as a prize, he returned to Guiana and taught 
the gospel to the Indians. 


[ 269 





OM 


? wih 


GOD STOOD UPON THEIR CREST 


GOD ON THE MOUNTAINS 


High mates! Ye teach me purity 
And lonely thought and truth. 


STOPFORD BROOKE 


The miracle of the creation of a mountain 
kindles imagination, and from the oldest times men 
have associated the mountains with visitations of 
God. Bulk and magnificence suggest the power of 
Deity; towering peaks and sleeping snows, God’s 
majesty and mystery. By the stairway of a moun- 
tain slope the Great Spirit descended to his people. 

According to the Indians of California, Mount 
Shasta was the first part of the earth to be made. 
The Great Spirit broke a hole through the floor of 
heaven with a rock, and on the spot where this rock 
had stopped he flung down more rocks, with earth 
and snow and ice, until the mass had gained such a 
height that he could step from the sky to its summit. 
Running his hands over its sides he caused forests 
to spring up. The leaves that he plucked he 
breathed upon, tossed into the air, and lo! they were 
‘birds. Out of his own staff he made beasts and 
fishes, to live on the hills and in the streams that 
began to appear as the work of world-building went 
on. The earth became so joyous and so fair that he 
resolved at last to live upon it, and he hollowed 
Shasta into a wigwam where he dwelt for centuries 


From C. M. Sxinner’s Myths and Legends of Our Own Land published 
by the J. B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia. 


feory 


IN. THE “LIGHT “ORR: 


before the white man came, the smoke of his lodge 
fire pouring from the mountain top. 

The Catskills and the Adirondacks were the 
abodes of many powerful beings, and the Highlands 
of the Hudson were a wall within which Manitou 
confined a host of rebellious spirits. When the river 
burst through this bulwark and poured into the sea, 
fifty miles below, these spirits took flight and many 
succeeded in escaping. But others still haunt the 
ravines and bristling woods, and when Manitou 
careers through the Hudson canon on the car of 
cloud, crying with thunder voice and hurling his 
lightnings as he passes, the demons howl in rage and 
fear, lest they be recaptured and shut up forever be- 
neath the earth. 

The White Mountains were homes of great and 
blessed spirits. Mount Washington was Olympus 
and Ararat in one, for there dwelt God, and there, 
when the earth was covered with a flood, lived the 
chief @nd his wife whom God had saved, sending 
forth a hare after the waters had subsided, to learn 
if it were safe to descend. From them the whole 
country was peopled with red men. Woe betide the 
intruder on this high and. holy ground, for an an- 
gered deity condemned him to wander for ages over 
the desolate peaks and through the shadowy chasms. 
The birth of the White Mountains is accounted 
for in the following manner: A red hunter, who had 
wandered for days through the forest without find- 
ing game, dropped exhausted on the snow one night 


272 





Merwe cor  LHE NEW: WORLD 


and awaited death. But he fell asleep and dreamed. 
In his vision he saw a beautiful mountain country 
where birds and beasts and fruits were plenty, and, 
awaking from his sleep, he found that day had come. 
Looking about the frozen wilderness in despair, he 
cried, “Great Master of Life, where is this country 
that I have seen?’ And even as he spoke the 
Master appeared and gave to him a spear and a 
coal. ‘The hunter dropped the coal on the ground, 
when a fire spread from it, wrapping the rocks with 
dense smoke out of which came the Master’s voice 
in thunder tones, bidding the mountains rise. The 
earth heaved, and through the reek the terrified man 
saw hills and crags lifting, lifting, until their tops 
reached above the clouds. From the far summits 
sounded the promise: ‘Here shall the Great Spirit 
live and watch over his children.””’ Water now burst 
from the rocks and came laughing down the hollows 
in a thousand rills, the valleys unfolded in leaf and 
bloom, birds sang in the branches, butterflies — like 
winged flowers — flitted to and fro, the faint and 
cheerful noise of insect life came from the herbage, 
the smoke rolled away, a genial sun blazed out, and, 
as the hunter looked in rapture on the mighty peaks, 
God stood upon their crest. 


=~ - 





274 | 


TO THE TRUE ROMANCE 


Who holds by Thee hath Heaven in fee 
To gild his dross thereby, 

And knowledge sure that he endure 
A child until he die — 

For to make plain that man’s disdain 
Is but new Beauty’s birth — 

For to possess, in loneliness 
The joy of all the earth. 


* * * * * 


Beyond the bounds our staring rounds, 
Across the pressing dark, 

The children wise of outer skies 
Look hitherward and mark 

A light that shifts, a glare that drifts, 
Rekindling thus and thus, 

Not all forlorn, for Thou hast pore 
Strange tales to them of us. 


Time hath no tide but must abide 
The servant of Thy will; 

Tide hath no time, for to Thy rhyme 
The ranging, stars stand still — 

Regent of spheres that lock our fears 
Our hopes invisible, 

Oh ’twas certes at Thy decrees 
We fashioned Heaven and Hell! 


- Thy face is far from this our war, 
Our call and counter-cry, 

I shall not find Thee quick and kind, 
Nor know Thee till I die. 

Enough for me in dreams to see 
And touch Thy garments’ hem: 

Thy feet have trod so near to God 
I may not follow them. 

| RUDYARD KIPLING 


Index—Dictionary 





INDEX—DICTIONARY 


Acrisius (a-cris’i-us). King of Argos. He was killed 
by Perseus, his grandson, in fulfillment of an 
imcreensO; 65. 

Adirondacks (ad’i-ron’daks). A group of moun- 
tains in northern New York. 272. 

Admetus (ad-mé’tts) (Greek, The Untamed). 
King of Thessaly. He was saved from death by 
Alcestis, his queen, who offered her life for him. 
60. 

‘Egir (éjir) (Anglo-Saxon, eagor, the sea). The 
god who presided over the stormy sea. At harvest 
time he entertained the other gods and brewed ale 
for them. 90. 

/Egis (é€jis). The breastplate of Jupiter and 
Minerva. Minerva lent hers to Perseus to aid | 
him in his fight with the Gorgon. 7, 51. 

/Eschere (ash’-ér). The favorite thane of Hroth- 
gar. He was killed by the mother of Grendel, the 
monster, to avenge the death of her son. 108. 

Aes-shee (a’-shé’). As recorded in Irish mythology, 
the name given by the earth-dwellers to those who 
inhabit the Land of the Living. 147. 

ZEtna (ét’na). A volcano in northeastern Sicily. At 
its base lay the plain of Enna, the home of Per- 
sephone. 66. 

Agni (ag’né). The Hindu god of fire who pro- 
tected Queen Sita from the flames. 167. 

[ 277 





INDEX—DICTIONARY 


Albany (ol’ba-ni). The capital of New York state. 
It was the reputed home of Baas Volckert Jan 
Pietersen van Amsterdam. 258. 

Alberich (al’ber-ik). “The dwarf who stole the 
Rhinegold and ruled the underworld by virtue of 
a ring made from some of the treasure. 118, 119, 
120, 12191 20;4130; 14 elo eee 

Alcazar (al-ka’zar). The name given to palaces, 
usually royal ones, built in Spain by the Moors. 
177 ch Oya ows 

Alcestis (al-sés’tis). “The wife of Admetus. Hay- 
ing offered her own life to save that of her hus- 
band, she was rescued by Hercules. 60. 

Alcmene (alk-mé’né). ‘The wife of Jupiter and the 
mother of Hercules. 56. 

Alfadur (al-fad’tr) (Norse, 4ll-Father). A name 
for Odin. 85. 

Allah (al’a). An Arabic word meaning God or the 
Supreme Being. The name is so used among the 
Mohammedans generally. 177. 

Amazon (am/a-zon). The largest river in the 
world. It is in northern South America. 265, 
FON 

Amazon (am/’a-z6n). One of a reputed race of fe- 
male warriors against whom the ancient Greeks 
claimed to have waged constant warfare in pre- 
historic times. 58. 

Andes (an’déz). A range of mountains in South 
America,s2 64: 

Andromeda (an-drom’é-da). The daughter of King 


278 | 











INDEX—DICTIONARY 


Cephas. Having been rescued from a sea monster 
by Perseus, she later became his wife. 54, 55. 
Ang-ngalo (ang-na’lo). In Philippine mythology, 
a giant who was the only son of the god of build- 
ing. He sought to build a palace of salt for Sip- 

ONeiae 103,194. 

Angin (ang-in’). In Philippine mythology, a god- 
dess of the wind. 183. 

Apollo (a-pol’6). The god of music and song. Also 
called Phebus and Phebus Apollo. 3, 9, 11, 13, 
23, 30, 36, 40, 42, 47, 49, 59. 

Arachne (a-rak’né). A maiden skilled in weaving. 
She was changed into a spider by Minerva as a 
punishment for mocking the gods. 45, 6, 7, 8. 

Ararat (ar’a-rat). The mountain on which Noah's 
ark came to rest at the conclusion of the deluge. 
de 

Arcadia (ar-ka’dia). A country in the central part 
of the Peloponnesus, the ancient name for the 
southern peninsula of Greece. It was here that 
Hercules performed one of his twelve labors, the 
capture of the wild horses. 58. 

Argonautic (ar’go-not’ik) Expedition. An expedi- 
tion, led by Jason, which, in ancient times, was re- 
puted to have set sail from Iolcus, a town of Thes- 
saly, in quest of the Golden Fleece. Fifty mighty 
heroes were numbered among the warriors of the 
party. These are often referred to as the drgo- 
nauts. 23, 59. 

Asgard (as’gard). The Norse City of the Gods 

[ 279 





INDEX—DICTIONARY 


which stood on Ida-Plain. 73, 74, 75, 77, 78, 79; 
80, 82, 83, 84, 86, 87, 89, 92,99; 1OO;snommenea: 

Asin (a-sin’). In Philippine mythology, a ruler of 
the Kingdom of Salt. He gave bricks of salt to 
Ang-ngalo, out of which the latter planned to build 
a palace for Sip-gnet. 184. 

Atalanta (at’a-lan’ta). A maiden, beautiful and 
fleet of foot, who vowed that she would wed no 
one who failed to outdistance her in a race. 18, 
TOV se2ee 

Atlas (at’las). A giant who bore the heavens on 
his shoulders. For insulting Perseus he was 
changed by that hero into a mountain. Hercules 
stole three golden apples from him. 52, 59. 

Augean (0-jéan) Stable. This stable belonged to 
King Augeas of Elis. Hercules cleansed it in one 
day by causing two mighty rivers to run through 
ifaes 

Augeas (0-jé’as). The legendary king of ancient 
Elis, the owner of the stable which Hercules is 
said to have cleansed in one day. 58. 

Aurora (6-r0’ra). The Greek goddess of the dawn. 
Tele 

Ayodha (a-yo’da). A city in the land of Kosala, the 
home of Rama and Sita. 158, 159, 160, 168. 

Baas Volckert Jan Pietersen van Amsterdam (bis 
fol’kért yan pé’tér-sén van 4am/stér-dam). The 
Dutch baker of Albany who was compelled to give 
thirteen cakes for a dozen. (Baas is the Dutch 
word for Master or Mister.) 258, 259, 260. 

280 | 





INDEX—DICTIONARY 


Bacchus (bak’ts). Another name for Dionysus, the 
Greek god of wine and revelry. 36. 

Baucis (b0’sis). “The wife of Philemon. The two 
were visited by Jupiter and Mercury in disguise, 
and were rewarded by the gods for their hospital- 
ity. 43, 44, 46. 

Baker, Mount. A peak of the Cascade Range in 
the state of Washington. According to legends 
current among the Indians of that region, it was 
the first land seen by men when the floods of the 
deluge receded. 228. 

Balder (bol’dér). The Norse god of the summer 
sunlight. The sor of Odin and Frigga. He was 
finally slain by the blind god Hoder, at Loki’s in- 
Srigatione) 100, 101; 102, 102. 

Beowulf (ba’6-woolf). A hero of the great 
Anglo-Saxon epic, the reputed king of the Swedish 
Geats. He went to the aid of Hrothgar against 
the monster Grendel, and succeeded in killing 
Grendel and his mother. Beowulf met death late 
in life after slaying the monster fire-drake. 105, 
PeGmhOy.10S, JO9, 110, 111, 112. 

Betis (ba’tis). The ancient name for the Guadal- 
quivir River of Spain. 176, 177, 179. 

Bharata (ba-ra’ta). Rama’s younger half brother 
who was made king in Rama’s stead. He ruled 
during Rama’s exile, and received his brother with 
joy upon the latter’s return to the kingdom. 159, 
160, 168. 

[ 281 


INDEX—DICTIONARY 


Bifrost (bé’frost) (Norse, the trembling way). The 
rainbow bridge between the earth and Asgard. 
It was the only means of reaching the home of the 
gods. Under the hoofs of the horses, it finally 
fell-at Ragnarok 75,05 5. 

Bilskirnir (bél’skér-nér) (Norse, lightning). The 
heavenly dwelling place of Thor. 86. 

Biwa Ko (bé’wa ko) (Japanese, Lake of the Lute). 
A name given to a lake in the Province of Omi, 
Japan; “1954 190,Loo 

Bodhisatta (b0’di-sat’ta). According to the belief 
of Buddhists, one who has attained to the highest 
degree of goodness in this life, and in consequence 
will be a Buddha at the next incarnation. The 
name is applied to Buddha in accounts of his 
earthly reincarnations, as in the story on pages 
T6091 7O,9l 7 ieolg 3 

Brabant (bra-bant’). A province of ancient Flan- 
ders, the reputed home of Elsa, a character in the 
story of Lohengrin. 140, 142, 146. 

Bragi (bra’gé). According to Norse mythology, 
the son of Odin and the husband of Iduna. He 
was regarded as the god of poetry. 81. 

Brahma (bra’ma). According to Hindu mythology, 
Brahma is the creator of the universe, that is, 
Brahma is God. With Vishnu and Siva, Brahma 
completes the trinity that rules the visible universe 
and is the essence of all being. 163. 

Bridal Veil Falls. A magnificent waterfall in the 
Yosemite Valley of California. 236. 

282 | 





Reo wos Te TlONAR Y 


Brock. (brok). In Norse mythology, the dwarf 
brother of Sindre. 79, 80. 

Brunnehilde (brin’é-hil’dé). One of the valkyries. 
Because she disobeyed Wotan, the god cast a spell 
over her and caused her to fall into a deep sleep 
upor the summit of a high mountain. She was 
later awakened by Siegfried, whose wife she be- 
came and upon whose funeral pyre she died. 126, 
127, 128, 129, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139. 

Buddha (b6o0d’a) (Sanskrit, The Enlightened). A 
name given to the Hindu teacher, Gautama Sid- 
dartha, who, in the sixth century, B.c., began those 
teachings which later became the essence of 
Buddhism, a religion now followed by a large 
part of the inhabitants of eastern Asia. Buddha 
taught the precepts of self-denial, virtue, and wis- 
dom. According to the Buddhist belief, those 
who practice right belief, right resolve, right 
word, right act, right life, right effort, right think- 
ing, and right meditation are at death absorbed 
into Nirvana, a release from further existence and 
consequently the greatest good. Like the Brah- 
mans, Buddhists believe in reincarnation, that is, 
Preeecbirth |) L71. 

Calydon (kal’i-don). An ancient city of A®tolia, a 
province of Greece. It was the home of Dejanira, 
the princess whom Hercules married. 60. 

Capilano Canyon (kap’i-la’no kan’yun). The west- 
ern valley guarded by the Lions of Vancouver. 
216. 

[ 283 








INDEX—DICTIONARY 


Caribbean (kar’i-bé’an). The name of that part of 
the Atlantic Ocean that lies between the West 
Indies and the coasts of Central America and 
northern South America. 265. 

Carmela (kar-ma/la). A gypsy maiden who loved 
a Moorish king. 176, 179, 180. 

Cassiopeia (kas’i-0-pé’ya). The wife of Cepheus 
and mother of Andromeda. 52, 55. 

Catskill (kats’kil) Mountains. A group of moun- 
tains of the Appalachian system located in south- 
eastern New York. ‘The Indians of that region 
believed these mountains to be the abode of many 
powerful spirits. 272. 

Caucasian (ko’ka’shan). Pertaining to the Cau- 
casus Mountains. 59. 

Caucasus (ko’ka-sts) _Mountains. A mountain 
range lying in southern Russia between the Black 
and Caspian seas. There Hercules killed the vul- 
ture that preyed upon the vitals of Prometheus. 
59. 

Cavern of Hate. The dwelling-place of the giant 
Painge: veto tert 3¢ 

Cayenne (ka-én’). An island belonging to France 
and lying off the coast of French Guiana in 
northern South America. It was there that Pierre 
went in search of the wonderful orchid. 267. 

Celestially August. A title given to the Chinese em- 
perors. 203. 

Celeus (cél’é-us). The king who gave shelter to 
Ceres when she was seeking Proserpine. 67, 68. 

284 | 





INDEX—DICTIONARY 


Centaur (sén’tér). One of the race of fabulous 
monsters reputed to have inhabited Mount Pelion, 
in Thessaly, in ancient times. Said to have been 
the offspring of Ixion and a cloud, the centaurs 
were in form half man, half horse. The body of 
a man, from the waistline upwards, was joined to 
the shoulders of a horse. Hercules engaged in a 
battle with the centaurs at the time of capturing 
the wild horses of Arcadia. 60. 

Cepheus (sé’fus). King of Ethiopia and. father of 
Andromeda. 52, 54. 

Cerberus (sur’bér-us). A fabulous doglike creature 
of Greek mythology, having three heads, serpents 
encircling the body, and a tail in the form of a 
serpent. Cerberus guarded the entrance to Hades. 
25) 34) 59- 

Ceres (sé’réz). The daughter of Saturn and Rhea, 
and the mother of Proserpine. She was the god- 
dess of all vegetation and the special protector of 
growing crops. 33, 34, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70. 

Cerynea (sér’i-né’a). A country of ancient Greece 
that bordered on Arcadia. In Cerynea Hercules 
is said to have captured the stag with the golden 
horns. 58. 

Charon (ka’ron). In Greek mythology, the boat- 
man who ferried the spirits of the departed across 
the river Styx to the eternal dwelling-place of the 
Seesaly. 26, 34. 

Chief Eagle Eye. The father of White Cloud. It 
was he whom the Great Spirit changed into the 


[ 285 


INDEX—DICTIONARY 


spirit of the waterfall in the Niagara River. 250, 
Deas 

Chilkat (chil’kat or kil’kat). A tribe of Alaskan 
Indians famous for the beauty and excellence of 
their blankets. Also, the name of a river created 
by Ravenwa2 17220 oe 

Choice of Hercules. The name by which Duty was 
known after Hercules chose her gifts ifi prefer- 
ence to those offered by Pleasure. 56. 

Cloud Catcher. A youth of the Ojibway Indians. 
245, 246, 247. 

Clymene (klim’é-né). An ocean nymph, the mother 
of Phaéton. She was also the mother of Atlas 
and Prometheus. 9, 13. 

Clytié (klish’i-é or kli’ti-é). An ocean nymph who 
pined away on account of her unrequited love for 
Apollo and was finally changed into a heliotrope. 
The myth may have been suggested by the ten- 
dency of the heliotrope to turn towards the sun, 
which was identified with Apollo. ‘The name 
heliotrope at one time applied to any plant that 
turns toward the sun, such as the sunflower, the 
marigold, and others. 41, 42. 

Coast Indians. A general term commonly used in 
reference to the various Indian tribes dwelling 
along the Pacific coast of North America through- 
out its length) 211. 

Coatzacoalcos (ko-at’sa-k6-al’k6s). A river of 
northeastern Mexico. It empties into the Gulf of 
Campeche near the city of Vera Cruz. 262. 

286 | 





INDEX—DICTIONARY 


Conn the Hundred-Fighter. A fabled king of the 
ancient Gaelic Celts. 147, 148, 150. 

Connla of the Golden Hair. The son of Conn. 
force above.) 147, 148, 150, 151, 152. 

Coran (kor’an). A druid to whom Conn appealed 
for help against the invisible lady who, by means 
of her charms, enticed Connla of the Golden Hair 
away from his father. 148, 150. 

Court of the Maidens. A room in the palace of the 
Moorish king. 18o. 

Cretan bull. A ferocious bull which was captured 
and brought back to Mycene by Hercules. This 
was the hero’s seventh wondrous task. 58. 

Crete (krét). An island of the eastern Mediter- 
ranean, off the coast of Asia Minor. It was the 
site of the ancient kingdom of King Minos. 37. 

Cupid (ki’pid). The Roman god of love, equiva- 
lent to the Greek god, Eros. He was the son of 
Venus and was represented as a winged boy with 
bow and arrows. He married Psyche. 29, 32, 
33, 34, 36. 

Cyane (si-an’). The river that opposed Pluto’s 
passage to Hades when he carried Proserpine 
away to his kingdom. When he discovered that 
he could not prevail upon the river to let him 
cross, Pluto struck the ground with his trident and 

the earth opened to give him passage. 67. 
Cybele (sib’é-lé). The goddess of earth and moun. 

tain fastnesses. It was she who turned Hippom- 

-enes and Atalanta into lion and lioness. 22. 

[ 287 





INDEX—DICTIONARY 


Cycnus (sik’nis). A friend of Phaéton. Cycnus so 
deeply mourned the loss of Phaéton that the gods — 
changed him into a swan.. (See Phaéton.) 13. 

Cyprus (si’prus). A large island of the eastern 
Mediterranean. lying off the coast of Syria. It 
was sacred to Aphrodite (Venus). 21, 63, 64. 

Dedalus (déd’a-lus). The architect of the Cretan 
labyrinth, a renowned structure of the ancient 
world which consisted of a confusing maze of 
passages. Dedalus was imprisoned by Minos, 
but he succeeded in escaping from the island with 
Icarus, his young son, by devising wings for the 
two. (See Icarus.). "37,933, 30,etue 

Dakota (da-ko’ta). A powerful tribe. of Indians 
that formerly dwelt in the region now included in 
the states of the name. Minnehaha was a mem- 
ber of this tribe. 241. 

Damascus (da-mas’kts). A city of Syria renowned 
in earlier times for its silken stuffs and steel. 177. 

Danaé (dan’a-é). The daughter of King Acrisius 
and mother of Perseus. With the latter she was 
boxed up and cast into the sea by her father. (See 
Acrisius and Perseus.) 50. 

Danaides (da-na’i-déz). The fifty daughters of 
King Danatis. Their father commanded them to 
marry the fifty sons of /Egyptus, his bitter enemy, 
so that each might then murder her husband and 
so rid the world of the family of A7gyptus. For 
this crime the Danaides were doomed forever to 
pour water into a broken cistern in Hades. 25. 

288 | 








INDEX—DICTIONARY 


Danes. The subjects of Scyld and his descendants, 
hence sometimes called Scyldings. 104, 107, 108, 
110. 

Daphnis (daf’nis). A shepherd who was also singer 
and poet. He was the son of Hermes (Mer- 
cury), and much loved by Apollo, who gave him 
the gift of verse-making. Hercules rescued Daph- 
nis from the power of the king of Phrygia. 59. 

Dasaratha (dia-sa-ra’ta). King in Ayodha and 
father of Prince Rama. 158, 159, 160. 

Daughter of a Hundred Stars. A name sometimes 
given to Isis. 174. 

Dejanira (dé-ja-ni’ra). Daughter of CEneus of 
Calydon, sister of Meleager, and wife of Her- 
cules. She brought about her husband’s death by 
presenting him with the shirt soaked in the blood 
of Nessus. 60. 

Dekino (da-ké’nd). Fort Far-out, a rocky island 
off the western coast of northern North America. 
7A a i 

Delos (dé’l6s). One of the islands of the Cyclades 
group at the eastern end of the Mediterranean. 
It was the reputed birthplace of Apollo and 
Diana. 39. 

Delphic (dél’fik) Oracle. The most famous oracle 
of the ancient world. It was originally the oracle 
of Gea, from whom Apollo is said to have 
wrested it. According to another tradition it was 
given to him by Phebe (Diana). 57. 

| 289 





INDEX—DICTIONARY 


Demon King. A name sometimes given to Ravana. 
163. 

Diana (di-an’a or di-an’a). Ancient Greek goddess 
of the moon and of the chase. She was the 
daughter of Jupiter and Latona: -14;topeag eo. 

Diomedes (di-6-mé’déz). The son of Mars and 
owner of the man-eating mares. 58. 

Donner (do6n’er). A name often given to the Norse 
TOU gl OT ae 

Draupnir (drowp’nér). The name of Odin’s 
magic ring. It was placed upon Balder’s funeral 
pile. "8G, TOR: 

Earth Mother. In Hindu mythology, the mother 
of Queen Sita. At Sita’s plea the earth opened 
and received her daughter in order to prove the 
latter’s innocence. 168. 

Echo (ék’6). A nymph of Diana. Having loved 
Narcissus without being able to obtain his affec- 
tion, she pined away until nothing remained but 

her ivoicey tat aio mies: 

Fl Capitan (él kap’i-tan’) (Spanish, the captain). 
One of the tallest wall rocks of the Yosemite 
Walley sumer re 

El Dorado (él do-ra’do) (Spanish, the gilded). 
The fabulously rich king who was believed to rule 
over a city within the Andes Mountains. The 
name was also given by the Spaniards to.a Jand 
of treasure which was reputed to lie somewhere 


within Central America or western South Amer- 


ican) | 264592. (aos 
290 | 


Zee 





meOEX=-DICTIONARY 


Eleusis (é-li’sis). A city of ancient Greece cele- 
brated for the splendor of its festivals in honor 
of Ceres and Persephone. The feast was held 
every five years. 67, 70. 

Elis (@lis). A city of ancient Greece ruled over by 
King Augeas. 58. 

Elli (él’le) (Norse, old age). The nurse of Ut- 
gard Loki who successfully wrestled against 
OT 3809;°99. 

Elsa (él’sa). A princess of Brabant, the sister of 
Gottfried. She became the wife of Lohengrin. 
moment 42, 143, 144,145, 146. 

Endymion (én-dim’i-on). A beautiful shepherd of 
Caria who fed his flocks on Mount Latmos. He 
was loved by Diana. Jupiter granted him the 
gifts of perpetual youth and eternal sleep. 27, 
28. 

Enna (én’na), Vale of. The home of Proserpine. 
66. 

Epimetheus (ép’i-mé’thts) (Greek, afterthought). 
A brother of Prometheus. Jupiter gave Pandora 
to Epimetheus, who had been warned against ac- 
cepting any gift from the gods. 3, 4. 

Erda (érd’a) (Norse, Earth-Mother). The All- 
wise One who was loved by the father of the gods. 
Dole As 1 3 5 

Erebus (ér’é-bts). The region of mist and dark- 
ness which lies about the entrance to Hades. 26. 

Eridanus (é-rid’a-nts). A river of ancient Greece 

- into which Phaéton is said to have fallen. 13. 
[ 291 





INDEX—DICTIONARY 


Ethiopia (é-thé-0’pi-a). “The name given in ancient 
times to a region lying about the headwaters of 
the Nile, south of Egypt. King Cepheus and 
Queen Cassiope are said to have ruled over it at 
one tintes) /52t 

Eurydice (u-rid’i-sé). The wife of Orpheus. A\l- 
though she died, as mortals do, Orpheus was 
granted permission to take her from Hades back 
to earth provided he did not look at her until 
they reached the realm of mortals. Having failed 
to obey the command, Eurydice was snatched 
from him and returned to Hades. 23, 24, 25, 26. 

Eurystheus (i-ris’thts). Cousin to Hercules. As 
taskmaster it was he who imposed the twelve 
labors upon Hercules. 57, 58. 

Fafnir (fav’nér). A giant who changed himself 

' into a dragon and then guarded the Rhinegold. 
He was slain by Siegfried: (120) 122,ei@omueo: 
Seo Runes Biyice yey evi giay. 

Fasolt (faz’olt). A giant, the brother of Fafnir. 

_ Fafnir slew Fasolt during a fight which resulted 
from a quarrel over the Ring of the Nibelungs. 
120. 

Fates. In Greek mythology, the three goddesses, 
Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos, who determined 
the course of human life. In Norse mythology, 
three goddesses of like powers and duties are com- 
monly called the Norns. 42, 68, 73, 135. 

Fenris (fén’ris). Also called Fenris-Wolf. The 
son of Loki. The gods put Fenris in chains. His 


292 | 





INDEX—DICTIONARY 


fate was to remain a prisoner under those condi- 
tions until, at Ragnarok, he should get loose and 
conquer Odin, only to be slain later by Vidar, one 
of Odin’s sons. 82, 83, 84, 85. 

Forbidden Kingdom. The home of the gods, ac- 
cording to Egyptian mythology. 175. 

Fountain of Wisdom. According to Norse my- 
thology, a renowned fountain which stood beneath 
the branches of the World Ash. 135. 

Frederick of Telramund. A character in Lohengrin, 
claimant to the throne of Brabant. 140, 141, 
142, 143, 144, 145. 

Freia (fra’ya). Identical with Freya, the sister of 
Freyr. She was the Norse goddess of spring, 
flowers, and music. 120, 121, 140. 

Freki (fra’ké) (Norse, fierce). One of the two 
wolves that usually accompanied Odin. 75. 

Frey or Freyr (fra or fra’r). In Norse mythology, 
the god of the sun. He became the husband of 

- Gerth, to win whom he gave up his wonderful 
sword. 79, 80, 81. 

Prevamsee.e rela. 77,78, 87,.88, 89. 

Yrigga (frig’ga) (Norse, Jove). The wife of Odin. 
She was the goddess of sunshine, rain, and 

Pitanvest.. 75, 100, 101, 126. 

rricka see Frigga. 126, 127. 

Fuji-see Fuji Yama. 196, 197, 198. 

Fuji Yama (f00’jé ya’ma). The highest mountain 
in Japan. It is sacred to the Japanese. 195, 198. 

Furies. In Greek mythology, the three avenging 

[ 293 








INDEX—DICTIONARY 


spirits who visit with suitable punishment all those 
who violate the first laws of nature and society, 
that is, those who violate the claims of kinship, 
hospitality, and social requirements. 25. 

Galatea (gal’a-te’a): . The name vorethemmramem 
whom, as a marble figure, the sculptor Pygmalion 
carved from stone. In certain stories of Greek 
mythology the name Galatea designates a sea 
nymph or nereid, an altogether different creature. 
G3w04a One 

Ganymede (gan’i-méd). The most beautiful of 
mortals. He was taken up onto Mount Olympus 
by command of Zeus, there to be cupbearer to the 
king of the gods. 36. | 

Geri (ga’ré) (Norse, greedy). One of the two 
wolves that always accompanied Odin. 75. 

Gerth (gurt). A beautiful maiden from the land of 
the giants. She became the wife of Freyr. 81. 

Geryon (jé’ri-on). A monster that had three bodies, 
each furnished with powerful wings. It was slain 
by Hercules, one of whose tasks was to carry off 
Geryon’s herd of red cattle. 58. 

Gibichungs (gib’i-kungs). A legendary race of 
northern Europe to which King Gunther and his 
sister, Gutrune, are reputed to have belonged. 
1 3.0% 

Gilded King. A name given to El Dorado, a 
mythical prince or king of early America. (See 
El Dorado.) 264) 2657260 aam 

Gladsheim (glats’him). In Norse mythology, the 


294 | 





INDEX—DICTIONARY 


home of the gods, the golden palace of Odin. It 
was a place of brightness and gladness. 73. 

Gleipnir (glap’nér). In Norse mythology, the 
magic silken chain which bound Fenris, and which 
could not be broken until Ragnarok. 84. 

God of Fire see Agni. 167. 

God of the Firmament see Indra. 167. 

God of the Ocean see Wata-tsu-mi. 190. 

Gonaqadet (gon’a-kwa’dét). An American Indian 
deity, the spirit of the sea. 218. 

Gorgon (g6ér’g6n). In Greek mythology, one of 
three monstrous female creatures, the sight of 
which turned the beholder to stone. Medusa, the 
most famous of the three, was slain by Perseus. 
50, $1, 52, 55. 

Goth. One of the followers of Beowulf. 105, 108, 
IIo. 

Gothic coast. The land of Beowulf, probably the 
coast of Denmark, northern Holland, or northern 
Germany. IIo. 

Gottfried (got’fréd). The young duke of Brabant, 
only brother of Elsa, and a character in the story 
of Lohengrin. Elsa was accused of having killed 
him. 140, 146. 

Graces. In Greek mythology, the three goddesses 
who enhanced the enjoyment of life by refinement 
and gentleness. They were Aglaia (Brilliance), 
Euphrosyne (Joy), and Thalia (Bloom). 3. 

Gree (gré’é’). The three old female creatures who 
were watchers for the Gorgons. 51. 

[ 295 





INDEX—DICTIONARY 


Grail (gral). According to some legends, the plat- 
ter from which Christ ate at the Last Supper; 
according to others, the wine cup from which he 
drank on that occasion. According to medieval 
legend, the Grail was brought to England at an 
early date and was there preserved by the knights 


of King Arthur. It was visible only to the pure | 


in heart, and if approached by any who were not 
so, it vanished. Percival was one of the knights 
who saw the Grail. 145, 146. 

Grand Traverse Bay. A large inlet on the eastern 
side of Lake Michigan, toward the northern end. 
The region roundabout was the scene of many of 
Hiawatha’s deeds. 243. 

Grane (gra’na). Briinnehilde’s war horse. 135, 
139. 

Great Mystery. A term used by certain tribes of 
American Indians when referring to the Supreme 
Beings 23 Sue, 

Great Spirit. A term used by certain tribes of 
American Indians when referring to the Supreme 
Being: 215,°236,.25 2) 270 ,o70 

Grendel (grén’dél). A monster mentioned in the 
Anglo-Saxon epic, Beowulf. Envious of the joy 
in Hrothgar’s palace, he caused that king untold 
trouble for years until he was finally slain by 
Beowulf. 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, I10. 

Groa (grd’a). In Norse mythology, the giantess 
whose charms did not avail to remove the stone 
splinter from Thor’s forehead. 93. 


296 | 


—- 





INDEX—DICTIONARY 


Guiana (gé-a’na). A region lying along the north- 
eastern coast of South America. 267, 269. 

Gullfaxi (gool’fax’é) (Norse, gold-mane). In 
Norse mythology, the horse belonging to the giant 
Hrungnir. 92. 

Gungnir (gung’nér). Odin’s sword. It was made 
of the wood of the renowned ash tree, Yggdrasill. - 
75, 79, 81. | 

Gunther (gun’tér). A king of the race of the 
Gibichungs, who sought to win Brtinnehilde for - 
his bride. 136, 137, 138, 139: 

Gutrune (goot-roon’a). The sister of Gunther. 
She was to win the love of Siegfried who was 
then to help Gunther win Brtinnehilde. 136, 137. 

Hades (ha’déz). In Greek mythology, this was 
originally the name used to designate the god of 
the other world. Later it came to be applied to 
the fabulous subterranean region reputed to be 
the gloomy dwelling-place of the souls of the de- 
parted. 24, 25, 34, 57, 59, 67, 155, 156, 157. 

Hagen (hag’én). A son of: Alberich, the dwarf, 
and half brother to Gunther. It was he who 
urged Gunther to marry Briinnehilde. 136, 138, 
139 

Halemaumau (ha’la-mow’mow) (Hawaiian, house 
of everlasting fire). The deep inner crater of 
Mt. Kilauea, a volcano in Hawaii. 185, 187. 

Hanuman (hun’i-min). In Hindu mythology, the 
son of the wind god. He was the general of the 
monkey tribes. 165, 166. 

[ 297 











INDEX—DICTIONARY 


Happy Hunting Grounds. According to the my- 
thology of many American Indian tribes, the 
abode of the blest after death. 232, 250. 

Hawaii (ha-wi’é). The largest of the Hawaiian 
Islands, which lie in the mid-Pacific between 
North America and Asia. 185. 

~Hea or Ea (hé’a or &’a). The ancient Persian god 
of the waters. He was regarded as the giver of 
the arts and sciences. 157. 

Hebe (hé’bé). A daughter of Juno and cupbearer 
to the gods on Mt. Olympus. After Hercules was 
transported to Olympus, Hebe became his wife. 
62) 

Hebrus (hé’bris). Ancient name of-the river 
Maritsa, in Roumelia, European Turkey. It flows 
into the Avgean Sea. 26. 

Heimdall (him’dal). In Norse mythology, the 
watchman for the gods and the keeper of the 
bridge Bifrost. . 75, 85, 87. 

Hel (hél). In Norse mythology, the lower world 
to which the spirits of those who did not die in 
battle found an eternal dwelling-place. 102. 

Hela (ha’la) (Norse, death). In Norse mythology, 
the daughter of Loki and the queen of Hel. She 
corresponds to the Persephone of Greek mythol- 
ogy. 82, 83, 100, 102. 

Heliades (hél’é-a’déz). Sisters of Phaéton, who, 
lamenting his fate, were turned into poplar trees. 
Their tears, which continued to flow, were turned 
into beads of amber. 13, C4. 


2098 | 








INDEX—DICTIONARY 


Heorot or Heort (ha’6-rét’ or ha’ort). The name 
of the great mead-hall which Hrothgar built for 
bresmen104; 105, 106; 107. 

Hercules (hur’ki-léz’) (Greek, Herakles). <A re- 
nowned athletic hero, the son of Jupiter and 
Alcmene. He performed many glorious deeds 
and completed twelve great labors. 55, 56, 57, 
59, 60, 62. 

Hermes (hur’méz). Another name for Mercury. 
He was the messenger for the gods of Mt. 
Olympus. 62. 

Hermod (hér’méd) (Norse, courage of hosts). 
The son of Odin. Mounted upon Sleipnir, he 
rode to Hel to bring back Balder. tor, 102. 

Hesione (hé-si-0’né). The daughter of Laomedon, 
a Trojan king. Having been rescued from a sea 
monster by Hercules, she later became the wife 

of Telamon, one of his followers. 60. 

Hesperides (hés-pér’i-déz). Sometimes called the 
Atlantides. ‘These were the nymphs, who, with 
the help of a dragon, guarded the golden apples 
that Gea gave to Hera as a wedding present. 
Obtaining some of these apples was one of the 
twelve labors of Hercules. The Hesperides are 
usually thought of as three in number, although 
the number varies according to the stories. They 
were the daughters of Atlas and Hesperis. The 
Garden of the Hesperides was located somewhere 
at the extreme western end of the Mediterranean 
Ded, 52, 57, 59. 

[ 299 





INDEX—DICTIONARY 





Hesperus (hés’pér-ts) (Greek, the evening star). 
In Greek mythology,,the god who at dusk led He 
evening star into the heavens. 67. 

Hiawatha (hi’a-wa’tha). An Indian chieftain to 
whom the Iroquois ascribed miraculous powers 
and deeds. 241, 242, 243, 244% 

Higelac or Hygelac (hij’i-lak). A king of the 
Geats, uncle and overlord of Beowulf. 105, 108, 
TIO. 

Highlands of the Hudson. The hilly region on 
either side of the Hudson River. 272. 

Hills of Pele (pélé). According to Hawaiian 
legend, the hills thrown up by Pele in a fit of 
anger. 188. 

Hilo (helo). A bay that cuts into the shore of the 
island of Hawaii. 185. 

Hippolyta (hi-pol’i-ta). The queen of the Ama- 
zons. As his ninth labor, Hercules obtained the 
belt of Hippolyta as a present for the daughter of 
Eurystheus. 58. 

Hippomenes (hi-pom’é-néz). The youth who, with 
the help of Venus, defeated Atalanta in a foot 
race and thereby won her for his wife. (See 
Atalania.) 18)(19) 21) 22; 

Hoard. A term commonly used when referring to 
the Rhinegold mentioned in the legend of the 
Nibelungs. (See Rhinegold.) 133, 136. 

Ho-deri (h6-da’ré). The Japanese name of Prince 
Fire-Flame, who, according to the legend, was a 
great fisherman. 189, 193. 


300 | 


INDEX—DICTIONARY 


Hoder (ho’dér). In Norse mythology, the blind 
god who was responsible for the death of Balder. 
When directed by Loki, Hoder hurled a branch of 
mistletoe which struck Balder and caused his 
death. NHoder is the Cain of Norse mythology. 
TORT O02, 

Hours. In Egyptian mythology, the attendants of 
Meio ce-Osir7s:) 175. 

Ho-wori (h6o-w6’ré). Prince Fire-Fade, a famous 
hunter, the brother of Prince Fire-Flame. (See 
ie cenerijeets9,,190, 191,192, 193. 

Hringham or Hringhorn (ring’ham or ring’horn). 
Balder’s great ship, upon which his funeral pile 
was built. 102. 

Hrothgar (roth’gar). The Danish king who built 
the mead-hall Heorot. A kind overlord, a faithful 
friend, lavish in his gifts, Hrothgar is typical of 
the early Germanic princes depicted in the legends 
and sagas. NHrothgar’s wife was named Wealh- 
theow. (See Beowulf, Heorot.) 104, 105, 108, 
109, LIO. 

Hrungnir (rung’nér). The giant who cwned the 
steed, Gullfaxi, upon which he raced against Odin. 
He was slain in combat with Thor. 92, 93. 

Hrunting (runt’ing). Unferth’s sword, which he 
loaned to Beowulf. 108, I09. 

Hugi (hoo’gé) (Norse, thought). The giant who 
defeated Thialfi in a foot race. 97. 

Hugin (ho0’gin) (Norse, mind). One of the two 
ravens which belonged to Odin. 75. 

[ 301 








INDEX—DICTIONARY 


Hunding (hoon’ding). <A chieftain of the Neidung 
clan, the husband of Sieglinde. He was slain by 
Siegmund. (See Neidung, Sieglinde, Siegmund.) 
123,0124, 126,992 7,620: 

Hyacinthus (hi-a-sin’thtis). A youth beloved of 
Apollo. Apollo killed the lad by accident, then, 
out of remorse and love, changed him into a hya- 
cinth: 4.7/-4.0: 

Hyed (hij’d). According to the Anglo-Saxon epic, 
Beowulf, Hygd was the wife of Higelac. It is 
believed that after she became a widow by the 
death of Higelac, she became the wife of Beo- 
wulf. (See Beowulf, Higelac.) 110. 

Hygelac see Higelac. 

Hylas (hi’las).. A lad who accompanied Hercules 
on the Argonautic Expedition. Hercules was 
very fond of Hylas, and when the boy was stolen 
by the Naiads, the hero left the Argonauts to 
rescue him. (See Hercules, Argonautic Expedi- 
{10n>)) 50, 

Hymen (hi’mén). In Greek mythology, the god of 
marriage. He was the son of Apollo and Urania. 
24. 

Hymir (hé’mir). The giant with whom Thor went 
fishing at the time when he caught the Midgard 
Serpent. Hymir’s wife was the mother of Tyr. 
Tyr and Thor went to Hymir to procure a kettle 
LOGO OO Ole 

Hyrrokin (hér’rd-kin) (Norse, fire-smoked). Ac- 
cording to Norse mythology, a giantess that had 

302 | 





INDEX—DICTIONARY 





once been burned for some misdeed. Apparently 
she did not come to her death by the burning, and 
was thereafter called “fire-smoked.” 103. 

Icaria (i-ka’ri-a). An island in the Agean Sea. 
Icarus was buried there. (See Jcarus.) 40. 

Icarian (i-ka’ri-an). A sea which forms part of the 
/Egean. It was so called because Icarus fell into 
it and was drowned. (See Icarus.) 40. 

Icarus (ik’a-rus). The young son of Dedalus. 
Having been provided with wings by his father, 
he failed to heed the warning of Dedalus, flew 
too near the sun, and, losing his wings, fell into 
themseae 37,38, 39, 40. 

Ida-Plain (i’da-plan’). In Norse mythology, the 
plain upon which stood the city of Asgard, dwel- 
ling-place of the gods. 73, 101. 

Iduna (i-di’na). A daughter of the dwarf Ivald. 
She was the wife of Bragi and the goddess of 
early spring. She possessed the youth-giving ap- 
ples of which the gods ate in order not to grow 
old. 81. 

Ifing (if’ing). In Norse mythology, a river that 
divided the lands of the gods from those of the 
Siants. °7 5: 

Ilmarinen (il-ma-ré’nén). A mighty craftsman, the 
hero of the Finnish epic, Kalevala. 113, 116. 
Immortals. A name frequently applied to the 
Greek gods who dwelt on Mt. Olympus. 57. 
India. A country of southern Asia. It was the 

home of Rama. (See Rama.) 166. 
[ 303 





INDEX—DICTIONARY 


Indra (in’dra). A Hindu god. He was the wielder 
of the thunderbolt, the gatherer of clouds, and the 
dispenser of rain. 158, 163, 167. 

Iole (i’0-lé). The daughter of Eurytus, who re- 
fused to give her to Hercules although that hero 
had fairly won her in an archery contest. Eurytus 
gave as his reason for refusing, the fear that Her- 
cules might a second time become insane and kill 
Iole. According to some legends, [ole is the half 
sister of Dryope. 60. | 

Iris (i’ris). The Greek goddess of the rainbow and 
messenger to Zeus and Juno. 62. 

Isis (i’sis). In Egyptian mythology, a star maiden, 
the Daughter of a Hundred Stars. She was be- 
loved of the Nile, but she herself was in love with 
the god Osiris. According to some legends she | 
became the wife of Osiris. Isis was the Egyptian 
goddess of fertility, as Ceres was the goddess of 
fertility among the ancient Greeks. (See Osiris.) 
174, 175. 

Ishtar (ish’tar). In Persian mythology, the earth 
mother, the goddess of fertility. As the queen 
of love and beauty she resembles the Greek god- 
dess V ents, © 1555 1 SOs 

Ixion (ik-si’on). A king of the Lapithe, the father 
of the centaurs. For aspiring to the love of Hera 
(Juno), he was bound to an ever-turning wheel in 
Dattarus*(idades) sag 

Janaka (ja-na’ka). According to Hindu mythology, 
Janaka was the father of Queen Sita, whom he 


304 | 


INDEX—DICTIONARY 


found in a furrow when she was an infant. Be- 
cause of that Janaka named the child Sita (fur- 
row). (See Sita.) 158. 

Jotunnheim (y0’toon-him). According to Norse 
mythology, the home of the giants. 73, 75, 82, 
Moyne es 00,109;-94, 99, 103. 

Jotunn (y0’toon). One of the giants who dwelt in 
Jotunnheim. 97. 

Jove (jov). Another name for Jupiter. He was a 
god of the ancient Romans, the father of Perseus. 
(See Jupiter, Perseus.) 52. 

Jumala (ya-ma’la). According to the mythology of 
the Finns, this term was first applied to the sky, 
then to the sky god, and finally to the supreme 
gods 117. 

Juno (j00’nd). According to Roman mythology, 
Juno was the wife of Jupiter and the queen of 
the gods. She is identical with the Greek Hera. 
14, 33, 56, 57, 62. 

Jupiter (joo’pi-ter). According to Roman mythol- 
ogy, Jupiter, the light-bearer, was the king and 
father of the gods. He is identical with the 
Ceeer Cus: 34.4,) 7, 9,213, 14, 26, 28, 36, 43; 
44, 45, 46, 50, 52, 56, 68, 69. 

Kahuku (ka-hoo’koo). . The name of the region 
around Mount Pele in Hawaii. (See Pele.) 186, 
187, 188. | 

Kaikeya (ka-é-ka’ya). The youngest queen and 
favorite of King Dasaratha. She prevailed upon 
the king to banish Rama, his eldest son, and to 


[ 305 


INDEX—DICTIONARY 


make her son king instead. (See Rama, Dasa- 
raiha.) 159° 

Kaleva (ka’la-va). The giant ancestor of the heroes 
of Finnish mythology. His exploits are recounted 
in the Finnish epic, the Kalevala. 114. 

Kalevala (ka’la-va’la). According to Finnish my- 
thology, the land of the giant, Kaleva. 113. 

Karjola (kar-j0’la). A province in’ Finlandyra3, 

Kilauea (kil-ow-a’a). One of the world’s great vol- 
canoes, located in Hawaii. According to some 
Hawaiian legends it was the home of Pelewetoece 
152164) ape Vo eee Oye 

Kingdom of the Dead. Another name for Hades, 
the kingdom of Pluto. 68, 69. 

King of Death. According to Greek mythology, 
Hercules engaged him in battle and succeeded in 
taking Alcestis from him. 60. 

Ko-Ngai (k6’n-gi). According to Chinese legend, 
Ko-Ngai was the daughter of Kouan-Ku. To 
save her father’s life the maiden plunged into a 
mass of molten metal from which he was to cast a 
bell for the emperor. 204, 205) 206,s2088 

Kosala (ko-sa’la). The land in which the city of 
Ayodha is located. 158. 

Kouan-Ku (k60’an-koo’). An official of the Chinese 
Empire, the father of Ko-Ngai. (See Ko-Ngai. ) 
202; 204).206. 

Lake of the Four-Stringed Lute. Another name 
for the Japanese lake, Biwa Ko. (See Biwa Ko.) 
LOGO: 

306 | 





INDEX—DICTIONARY 


Lakshman (lak’sh-man). According to Hindu 
mythology, the son of King Dasaratha and Queen 
Kaikeya. He was half brother to Prince Rama. 
POG rotse1b2, 165, 166, 168. 

Lakshmi (lak’sh-mé). According to Hindu mythol- 
ogy, the goddess of fortune and the wife of Vish- 
nu. Representations of Lakshmi are typical of 
the East Indian idea of beauty. 158, 167. 

Land of Shadows. Another name for Hades. (See 
PPAGEN 2 ).55., 

Land of the Rising Sun. _A name frequently applied 
to the Japanese Empire. 195. 

Land of the Setting Sun. According to Greek 
mythology, the region lying somewhere about the 
western end of the Mediterranean Sea. The 
Garden of the Hesperides was situated there. 59. 

Lanka (lan’ka). By some supposed to be a Hindu 
name for the island of Ceylon. The fabulous 
kingdom of Ravana was located there. (See 
Ravana.) 161, 165, 166. 

Laomedon (la-om’é-don). A king of Troy, the 
father of Priam and Hesione. He was slain by 
Hercules because he refused to give over to the 
hero the famed horses of Neptune promised as a 
reward for the rescue of the king’s daughter. 60. 

Latmos (lat’mts), Mount. A mountain of Caria, 

- in southwestern Asia Minor. It was upon Mount 
Latmos that Endymion fed his flocks. (See 
Endymion.) 27, 28. 

Piciieeeuk as). Wichas carried. to Hercules the 


[ 307 





INDEX—DICTIONARY 


shirt which had been steeped in Nessus’ blood. 
Because of that Hercules cast him into the sea. 
(See Hercules, Nessus.) 60. 

Loge (16’ga). Another name for Loki. 119, 120, 
121,512.09: 

Logi (10’gé). This was the name of Utgard-Loki’s 
cook, who vanquished him in an eating contest. 
According to the Norse mythology, Logi was 
really Fire in disguise. ‘This accounts for his 
being able to consume anything at all with so much 
rapidity. 97, 99. 

Lohengrin (16’én-grin). The champion of Elsa, 
princess of Brabant. He was the son of Percival 
(Parsifal). Lohengrin is a hero of medieval 
legend, and a reputed knight of the Holy Grail. 
(See Elsa; Grails 146, 

Loki (10’ké) (Norse, finish, end). Loki was the 
evil giant-god of Norse mythology. He was re- 
garded as the father of Sleipnir, the Midgard 
Serpent, Fenris-wolf, and Hela. He typified the 
end of divinity. Finally he was captured and 
bound by the gods of Asgard. (See Sleipnir, Mid- 
gard Serpent, Fenris-W olf, Hela, Asgard.) 77, 
78, 79, 80, 82, 84, 85, 87, 38, 80, O4uNOgumam 
LOOWIOI. = TOS 

Lydia (lid’i-a). An ancient kingdom of western 
Asia Minor. At one time its ruler is said to have 
been Omphales, to whom Hercules was bound. 
59: 

Lyrnean Hydra (lir’né-an hid’ra). A nine-headed 

308 | 





INDEX—DICTIONARY 


water serpent of Greek mythology. It was slain 
by Hercules as one of his twelve labors. 58. 

Mackinac (mak’i-nak). A beautiful island lying in 
the Strait of Mackinac, between the upper and 
lower peninsulas of Michigan. It is reputed to 
have been the scene of many of Hiawatha’s ex- 
ploits. (See Hiawatha.) 243. 

Meander (mé-an’dér). Ancient Greek name of a 
famous river in western Asia Minor. 59. 

Magni (mag’né). ‘Thor’s three-year-old son. Un- 
aided, he lifted the dead giant Hrungnir from 
the body of Thor. 93. | | 

Manitou (man’i-too). According to the supersti- 
tions of the Algonquin Indians, one of the spirits 
that dominate the forces of nature. 250, 272. 

Marica (mar’é-cha). According to Hindu mythol- 
ogy, one of the fiends that helped Ravana to cap- 
ture Queen Sita. 161, 162. 

Master of Life. A name frequently given to the 
Supreme Being. 273. | 

Medusa (mé-di’sa). The most famous of the three 
Gorgons. She was slain by Perseus, who then 
presented her head to Minerva. (See Gorgon, 
Perseus, Minerva.) 50, 5. 

Megara (mé-ga’ra). A princess of ancient Greece, 
the wife of Hercules. She was slain by her hus- 
band while he suffered from a fit of insanity. 57. 

Mercury (mér’ki-ré). A Roman god identical with 
the Greek Hermes. (See Hermes.) 3, 36, 43, 
BAgeas 61,68. 

[ 309 








INDEX—DICTIONARY 


Michipicoten (mish’é-pi-ko’tén). A large bay lying 
on the Canadian side of Lake Superior. It was 
reputed to have been the scene of many incidents 
of Indianjlegenda243: 

Midgard (mid’gard). According to Norse mythol- 
ogy, Midgard, the earth, the abode of men, was 
situated in the middle of the universe. It was 
thought to be bordered by great mountains and 
surrounded by a mighty sea. It lay between As- 
gard, the dwelling-place of the gods, and Utgard, 
the home of the giants. 82. 

Midgard Serpent. According to Norse mythology, 
the world serpent which lies hidden in the ocean 
that surrounds the earth. It is the offspring of 
Loki. Its coils encircle the whole of Midgard 
(the earth). On one occasion Thor catches the 
Midgard Serpent on a fishhook, but the creature 
escapes. Thor finally slays it, at Ragnarok, but 
is himself poisoned by the breath of the serpent. 
S 2s S20 5.5 OO mone 

Milky Way. The faintly luminous path seen in the 
heavens on clear nights. It is composed of stars 
so distant that the light from all gives the appear- 
ance of a path or band of light. The Milky Way 
is also called the Galaxy. 197, 205. 

Mime (mé’ma). One of the chief dwarfs of ancient 
Teutonic mythology. Mime was a craftsman in 
metals. In his workshop the most renowned sons 
of princes learned the mysteries of metal-working. 
It was he who forged the Tarnhelm for his 

310 | 








PN DEX. DICTIONARY 


——$__ 


brother Alberich. (See Tarnhelm.) 121, 130, 
Dal el} 3: 

Minerva (mi-nur’va). A Roman goddess identified 
with the Greek dthene. Minerva was regarded 
as the daughter of Jupiter and was said to have 
sprung from his brain. She was the patroness 
of health, learning, wisdom, and the household 
urcemmtees 2 0,.756,°515 55,57: 

Ming (ming). The name of a dynasty, or family, 
of Chinese rulers who reigned from about 1368 to 
1644 A.D. During the rule of the Ming em- 
perors, commerce and thé cultivation of the arts 
were encouraged. 203, 204. ; 

Minnehaha (min’é-ha’ha) (Indian, Laughing 
dier)ee A maiden of the Dakota tribe, the 
bride of Hiawatha. 241. 

Minos (mi’nos). A grandson of the first Minos, 
who was king and lawgiver of Crete. He was the 
builder of the labyrinth and the oppressor of 
Peers) 57. 38. 

Mira (mé’ra). In Egyptian mythology, the Star 
Mother. This name was given to a particularly 
bright star. 174. 

Mjollnir (my6l’nér). The name of Thor’s mighty 
hammer which was forged for him by the dwarf 
Sindre. After Ragnarok the hammer comes into 
the possession of Thor’s sons. 80, 86, 93. 

Mokkrkalfi (mokr’kal’fé) (Norse, mist-wader). 
The clay giant that was felled by Thialf, helper 
Sameanor” . 92. 


amt 








INDEX—DICTIONARY 


Mondamin (mon-da’min) (American Indian, maize, 
corn). According to a legend of the American 
Indians, the plant which grew from the body of 
the stranger who was vanquished by one of the 
braves during the starving time of his people. 
240. 

Moy-mell. According to Celtic mythology, the 
plain of never-ending pleasure. 148, 150. 

Muse (muz). According to Greek mythology, one 
of the nine goddesses who presided over music, 
poetry, and the other arts and sciences. 26. 

Mycene (mi-sén’é). A city of ancient Greece re- 
puted to have been ruled at one time by Agamem- — 
non. 555. 

Munin (moon’én) (Norse, memory.) One of 
Odin’s two ravens. (See Hugin.) 75. 

Naiad (nay’ad). In Greek mythology, one of the 
nymphs which presided over fountains and brooks. 
They were the daughters of Jupiter. 59. 

Nalakapana (nal’a-ka-pain’a). <A village of India. 
169. 

Nanna (na’na). According to Norse mythology, 
Nanna, the daughter of Nep, was the wife of 
Balder. After Balder’s death, she died of grief. 
103. 

Narcissus (nar-sis’us). A beautiful youth who died 
of unsatisfied love for his own image which he 
saw reflected in a pool. He was changed to the 
flower that bears his name. 15, 16, 17. 

Navajo (nav’a-ho). One of a numerous and im- 

312 | 





INDEX—DICTIONARY 


portant tribe of Indians living in the states of 
Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. Their blankets 
and work in jewelry are celebrated. 210. 

Nefra (né’fra). In Egyptian mythology this god 
was the bearer of fire to mortals. 174. 

Neiding (nid’ing). A legendary clan among the 
primitive Germanic peoples, of which Hunding 
was the leader and head. 123. 

Nemea (né-mé’a). A valley in northwestern Ar- 
golis, a district of ancient Greece. In this valley 
Hercules killed a lion which for a long time had 
laid waste the homesteads of the inhabitants. 57. 

Neptune (nép’tin). A Roman god of the sea, the 
son of Saturn and Ops. He is identical with the 
Greek Poseidon. Neptune is usually represented 
as bearing aloft a trident, or three-pronged fork, 
as a symbol of his powers. 7, 12, 19, 21, 52, 60. 

Nereid (né’ré-id). One of the daughters of Nereus 
and Doris, of whom there were a hundred. The 
nereids were nymphs of the sea. 40. 

Nessus (nés’ts). A centaur whom Hercules fatally 
wounded with a poisoned arrow. By the advice 
of the dying Nessus, Dejanira, the wife of Her- 
cules, steeped her husband’s shirt in the blood of 
the centaur so as later to use it for a love charm. 
When, finally, Dejanira prevailed upon Hercules 
to wear the shirt, it poisoned his flesh, causing 
such agony that he killed himself. 60. 

Nibelheim (né’bél-him). The subterranean home 
of the Nibelungs. 119, 121. 


[ 313 





INDEX—DICTIONARY 


Nibelungs (né’bél-oongs). In Teutonic mythology, 
a race of dwarfs, the children of the mist. ‘They 
were the possessors of the Ring and the Hoard. 
PIS jel 2151265 127 ie? Oe ace 

Niflheim (név’l-him). According to Norse mythol- 
ogy, the world of fog and mist. It was a place 
of punishment for the spirits of mortals, after 
their death, similar to the Hades of the Greeks. 
Odin visited Niflheim to inquire after the fate of 
Balders 73 7853: 

Nin-ci-gal (nin’cé-gal). In Persian mythology, the 
queen of the underworld. 155, 156jnueee 

Norn (norn). According to Norse mythology, 
there were three Norns whose functions resembled 
those attributed to the Fates of the Greeks. (See 
Fates.) The names of the Norns were Urd 
(Past), Verdande (Present), and Skuld (Fu- 
lure) 10 73, 91353 

Nothung (no’tung). The magic sword of the Vol- 
sungs. (See Volsungs-) 124, 126,002 que 
130,003 Lege wens 

Notre Dame (notr dam) (French, Our Lady). A 
celebrated cathedral of Paris. 269. 

Oak of Justice. According to the legend of Lohen- 
grin, this was the tree in Brabant beneath which 
the Saxon king was accustomed to dispense Justice. 
140, 145. 

Odin (0’dén). Probably identical with Woden and 
Wotan. According to Norse mythology, Odin 
was the chief of the gods. He was regarded as 


314 | 





INDEX—DICTIONARY 


the beginning of all wisdom, the founder of cul- 
ture, the inventor of writing and poetry. He car- 
ried a magic spear and was always accompanied 
by two ravens and two wolves. At Ragnarok he 
was slain by the Fenris-Wolf. His wife was 
imme wea 74, 79, 80, 83,85, 86, 87, 925100, 
IOI, 103, 120. 

Ojibwa (6-jib’wa). Sometimes spelled Ojibway. 
Originally the largest tribe of American Indians 
north of Mexico. 245. 

Old Man of the Sea. According to Japanese legend, 
it was the Old Man of the Sea who built the boat 
for Ho-wori, Prince Fire-Fade, the mighty 
hunter. 190. 

Olympus (6-lim’pus), Mount. A mountain of Thes- 
saly, a district of ancient Greece. Upon its sum- 
mit, according to the mythology of the Greeks, 
was the dwelling-place of the gods. 14, 28, 36, 
Wie 2 053272 

Omi (6’mé). A province of Japan. 195, 196, 198. 

Omphale (om’fa-lé). A queen of Lydia whom Her- 
cules served for three years, as a punishment. 
During his servitude he wore woman’s clothing; 
Omphale wore the lion’s skin of Hercules. 59. 

Orpheus (O6r’fis or or’fé-us). A poet and musician, 
the son of Apollo and Calliope. By means of his 
music Orpheus so charmed Pluto that he was per- 
mitted by the king of the underworld to lead his 
wife Eurydice from Hades back to the realm of 
mortals. Orpheus was finally slain by some of 


[ 315 





INDEX—DICTIONARY 


the Thracian maidens whose attentions he refused 
to acknowledge and accept. 23, 24, 25, 26. 

Ortrud (6r’trood). According to the legend of 
Lohengrin, the wife of Frederick of Telramund. 
140, 142, 143, 144, 146. 

Osiris (6-si’ris). The Egyptian god of the under- 
world and judge of the souls of men. He was the 
wisest and most beneficent of the Egyptian gods. 
Mya Reg op 

Osmo (6s’m6), Another name for Kaleva. (See 
Kaleva.) 114. 

Osmotar (06s’mo-tar). The daughter of Osmo. 
114. 

Palace of Lanka. The home of Ravana. 166. 

Palace of the Ocean Bed. The home of Wata-tsu- 
ante jal 

Pan (pan). The Greek god of flocks and pastures. 
36. 

Pandora (pan-d6’ra) (Greek, all-gifted). A beauti- 
ful maiden whom Zeus gave to Epimetheus as a 
wife. Pandora’s curiosity prompted her to open 
a little casket which Zeus had placed in her keep- 
ing with the injunction that she was not to look 
inside it. When Pandora opened the box, all 
human ills escaped into the world. Hope alone 
remained within. Another version of this story 
has it that when Pandora opened the casket all 
those blessings which the gods had destined for 
man escaped and were lost to humankind. 3, 4. 

Paros (pa’ros). An island of the A.gean Sea. 39. 

316 | 





fee — DICTIONARY 


Pearly Feather. A wicked Indian who was slain 
by Hiawatha. 242. 

Peerless Jewel. Another name for Toyo-tama. 
(See Toyo-tama.) 190. 

Pegasus (pég’a-sus). According to Greek mythol- 
ogy, a winged steed born of a union of the sea 
foam and the blood of Medusa. 51. 

Pele (pé’lé). According to the mythology of the 
Hawaiians, the goddess of fire. 185, 186, 187, 
188. 

Percival. The same as Parsifal. A knight of the 
Holy Grail, the father of Lohengrin. 146. 

Persephone (pér-séf’6-né). The daughter of Ceres 
(Demeter). She was the wife of Pluto and queen 
Greriadess (oce Proserpine.) 24, 25, 66, 67, 
68, 69, 70. 

Perseus (pur’sts). The son of Zeus and Danaé, 

‘the slayer of the Medusa. He rescued Andromeda 
from a sea monster, and so won her for his wife. 
SO, 51, 52, 54, 55. 

Petrel (pé’trél). According to American Indian 
mythology, Petrel was the keeper of fresh water 
and the owner of a mighty spring on Dekino. 
217. 

Phaéton (fa’é-ton). A son of Phcebus Apollo. On 
one occasion, when Phaéton drove the sun-chariot 
of his father, he lost control of the steeds and 
almost burned up the earth. As a punishment, 
Jupiter struck him down with a thunderbolt. 9, 
ii ie oe eee 


PSn7 





INDEX—DICTIONARY 


Phantom (fan’tum). The messenger of the Per- 
sian god, Hea. 157. 

Philemon (fi-lé’m6n). The husband of Baucis. 
(See Baucis.) 43, 46. 

Phineus (fi’nts). The betrothed of Andromeda. 
Perseus turned him to stone by showing him the 
head of Medusa. (See dundromeda, Perseus, 
Medusa.) 54, 55. 

Phoebe (fébé). Another name for Diana. (See 
Diana.) 27. 

Phebus (fé’bis). Another name for Apollo. (See 
Apollo.) 9, 41, 47; 49. 

Phrygia (frij’i-a). An ancient country lying in cen- 
tral Asia Minor. 59. 

Pillars of Hercules. According to Greek mythology, 
these lay at the far western end of the Mediter- 
ranean Sea, where they were cast up by Hercules. 
They are often identified with Gibraltar. 59. 

Plain of Arcomin (ar’k0’min). A region in the 
kingdom of Conn the Hundred Fighter. 150. 

Pluto (ploo’t6). The god of the lower world. Ac- 
cording to Greek mythology he was the king of 
Hades. He captured Persephone and carried her 
away to be his bride and the queen of the lower 
regions. 24, 25, 34, 51, 59; 66, 67, 68. 

Pohja (po’ja). A shortened form of Pohjola. 
(See Pohjola.) 113,114, 115)". 10 

Pohjola (p6-j6’/la). A name sometimes applied to 
the region now known as Lapland. 113, 115, 
lye 

318 | 





INDEX—DICTIONARY 


Polydectes (pol’é-dék’téz). An ancient king of 
Seriphus whom Perseus turned to stone by show- 
ing him the head of the Medusa. (See Medusa, 
Prerseuseyes SO, 55. 

Prometheus (pro-mé’thts) (Greek, forethought). 
According to Greek mythology, Prometheus stole 
fire from heaven and gave it to man, thus becom- 
ing the founder of civilization. In punishment, 
Zeus had him bound to a rock on Mount Cau- 
casus, and there a vulture preyed upon his vitals 
until he was finally released by Hercules. 3, 59. 

Proserpine (pros’ér-pin). The same as Persephone. 
Proserpine was the daughter of Ceres and Jupiter 
who was carried off by Pluto to become the queen 
of Hades. At the supplication of Ceres, Pluto 
permitted Proserpine to return to earth for nine 
months of each year, but he compelled her to re- 
main with Pluto during the remaining months, be- 
cause she had tasted of food during her first 
sojourn in Hades. 34. 

Proteus (pro’tis or pro-té’us). An attendant of 
Neptune. He possessed the gift of prophecy and 
the power to change his shape at will. (See Nep- 
tune.) 2. 

Psyche (si’ké). According to Greek mythology, 
Psyche was an extremely beautiful maiden who 
became the wife of Cupid. She personifies the 
soul, and is usually represented with the wings of 
a butterfly, the emblem of immortality. 29, 30, 
31, 32, 33) 34, 36. 

[ 319 





INDEX—DICTIONARY 


Pygmalion (pig-ma‘li-on). A sculptor who fell in 
love with the statue of a maiden which he carved. 
(See Galatea.) 63, 64, 65. 

Ragnarok (rag’na-rok’). According to Norse my- 
thology, Ragnarok signifies the final destruction 
of the world in the great conflict between the gods, 
who dwell in Asgard, and the giants, who live in 
Utgard, aided by the powers of Hel under the 
leadership of Loki. Ragnarok is sometimes re- 
ferred to as “the twilight of the gods.” 85. 

Rama (ra’ma). A son of King Dasaratha, the hero 
of the Ramayana, one of the great epics of India. 
He was the husband of Sita, and one of the in- 
carnations of Vishnu. 158, 159, 160, 161, 162, 
165, 166, 167, 168. 

Ravana (ra-va’na). According to Hindu mythol- 
ogy, the king of Lanka. He was the dread op- 
pressor of gods and men, who stole Queen Sita 
and held her captive. -161, 162) 163)snoqummag: 
167. 

Rhine-daughters. According to Teutonic mythology, 
the three water sprites that owned the Rhinegold, 
or magic treasure, hidden in the river Rhine. It 
was stolen from them by the dwarf, Alberich. 
(See Alberich:) (118, 110,113 

Rhinegold. A magic treasure hidden in the depths 
of the river Rhine, where it was guarded by the 
Rhine-daughters. When out of their keeping its 
possession brought misfortune to him who held 
it. (See Rhine-daughters.) 119, 126, 129, 135. 

320 | 





INDEX—DICTIONARY 


Ring. A magic ring fashioned by the dwarf Al- 
berich from some of the Rhinegold which he stole 
from the Rhine-daughters. By virtue of the power 
of this ring, its possessor could rule the world. 
Seer 2.0, 127, 130, 131,133,134, 135, 136, 
137, 138, 139. 

Roraima (r6-ri’ma). A mountain in British Guiana, 
near the northeastern coast of South America. 
207: 

Roskva (rosk’va). According to Norse mythology, 
the maiden follower of Thor. She symbolizes the 
ripe fields of harvest time. 94, 96. 

Runic (roo’nik). Pertaining to the runes. The 
runes were alphabetic signs used by some of the 
early Teutonic peoples for preserving records of 
their past. [he letters were cut in wood, stone, 
or metal by the priests, who alone understood the 
art of runic writing. The word rune is frequently 
used to denote a mystery, because the secret of 
runic writing was a prerogative of the older Ger- 
manic priesthood and was jealously guarded by 
those who were acquainted with the mystery. I10. 

Sagalie Tyee (sa-ga’lé ti’é). A name used by the 
American Indians of the Northwest to designate 
the <oreat Spirit.’ 215. 

Samos (sa’mos). An island of the /Egean Sea. 39. 

Scheldt (skelt). A great river of Belgium which 
empties into the North Sea at the site of Antwerp. 
According to the legend of Lohengrin, the Oak of 


[ 321 





INDEX—DICTIONARY 


Justice stood upon the banks of the Scheldt. (See 
Oak of Justice.) 140. 

Scythian (sith’i-an). One of an ancient people 
about whom very little is definitely known. 
Among the early Greeks the Scythians were no- 
torious for their bloodthirstiness and savagery. 
They probably inhabited the plains of southern 
Russia along the northern coast of the Black Sea. 
217, 

Scyldings (skild’ings). According to the Anglo- 
Saxon epic Beowulf, the Scyldings were the de- 
scendants of Scyld and the followers of Hrothgar. 
Tose 

Seasons. According to Greek mythology, these were 
the goddesses that kept the gate of clouds which 
opened from Mount Olympus. They are some- 
times identified with the Hours. (See Mount 
Olympus.) 36. 

Seriphus (sér’i-fus). An island lying in the A¢gean 
Sea. According to Greek mythology, it was upon 
this island that Perseus and his mother were cast 
up by thersea ye coeic yee 

Seville (sé-vil’). A famous city of Spain. During 
the period when the Moors held dominion in 
Spain, Seville was the capital of a principate, a 
sort of province under the rule of its own prince. 
At that time it was renowned as a splendid city, 
the site of Moorish culture. 176, 177. 

Shasta (shas’ta), Mount. A volcanic peak in north- 
ern) Galitorniasme27.L 


2224) 


INDEX—DICTIONARY 


Sicily (sis’i-li). The largest island in the Mediter- 
ranean Sea. 40. 

Siegfried (ség’fréd). The hero of various Ger- 
manic legends. According to Wagner, he was the 
son of Siegmund and Sieglinde. He refashioned 
the sword Nothung, killed Fafnir and Mime, and 
became possessed of the Rhinegold. He wed 
Brinnehilde, whom he later forgot in love for 
Gutrune. He was killed by Hagen. Brinnehilde 
Miedwonenis funeral pyre. 128, 129, 130; 131, 
133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139. 

Sieglinde (ség’lind or ség’lin-da). The wife of 
Hunding. later she became the wife of Sieg- 
mund and mother of Siegfried. 123, 124, 127, 
P25 2530. 

Siegmund (ség’mund). The father of Siegfried. 
Meawesesiain by’ Lunding. 123; 124, 126, .127, 
Cateye 

Sierra Nevada (si-ér’a né-va’da). A mountain chain 
in eastern California. 236. 

Sif (sef). The wife of Thor. She was thought 
of as a golden-haired goddess that typified the 
earth decked in the bright green of springtime. 
She was the goddess of wedlock and family life. 
79; 80, 93. 

Sigyn (sé’gin). The wife of Loki. She held a 
basin to catch the serpent’s venom and to keep it 
from dropping into Loki’s face. 84. 

Silver Stream. Another name for the Milky Way. 
(See Milky Way.) 205. 

[ 323 





INDEX—DICTIONARY 


Sindre (sin’dra). In Norse mythology, Sindre was 
the dwarf who devised the wonderful gifts for 
the gods. The gifts were Draupnir, Myjollnir, 
and a boar with bristles of gold. (See Draupnir, 
Miollnin 2797-803 

Sip-gnet (sip’néet’). According to Polynesian my- 
thology, Sip-gnet was the goddess of darkness 
for whom Ang-ngalo began to build a mansion 
out of snow-white bricks. (See Ang-ngalo.) 184. 

Sisyphus (sis’i-fis). According to Greek mythol- 
ogy, a crafty and avaricious king of Corinth. As 
a punishment in Hades he was condemned to roll 
a gigantic stone to the top of a hill. So soon as 
he reached the top, he lost hold of the stone, 
which immediately rolled to the foot of the hill. 
Thus the task of Sisyphus never came to an end. 
25. 

Sita (sée’ta). According to Hindu mythology, Sita 
was the beautiful daughter of King Janaka. Be- 
cause Prince Rama was able to bend the wonder- 
bow of King Janaka, the father gave Sita in mar- 
riage to the prince. 158, 150; 160j¢16nmenaes 
LOZ TOS 100; Ove 

Siva (sé’va). In Hindu mythology, the third of 
the triad of gods. He represents the principle 
of destruction, and also that of the restoring 
power, because, according to Hindu belief, the 
two are identical. Siva has more than a thousand 
fitless waist O72 

Skeena (ské’na). A river in British Columbia. 217. 


324 | 





INDEX—DICTIONARY 


Skidbladnir (skid’blad-nér). According to Norse 
mythology, the famous ship of Frey. As Frey 
willed, the ship could move on either sea or land; 
at his wish it became large or small. 79. 

Skrymir (skré’mér). The name assumed by Ut- 
gard-Loki in order to deceive Thor. (See 
Utgard-Loki.) 95, 96. 

Sky Land: According to the mythology of the 
American Indians, the dwelling-place of the Great 
Nivstery.)238,.239, 240, 246, 247. 

Sleipnir (slap’nér) (Norse, the slipper). Odin’s 
eight-footed steed. 74, 92, 100, IOI, 102. 

Son of Heaven. A name frequently given to the 
Chinese emperor. 203, 204. 

South Dome. The name of a rocky cliff in the 
Yosemite Valley. 237. 

Saint Nicholas (sant nik’6-las). The patron saint 
of Russia and of seafarers, thieves, young women, 
and children. As the bearer of gifts to good chil- 
dren on Christmas Eve, he was a favorite of the 
young. The name Saint Nicholas has been cor- 
rupted to Santa Claus. 260. 

Star Mother. Another name for Mira. (See 
Mira.) 174. 

Stikine (sti-kén’). A river in Alaska and British 
Columbia. 217. 

Storm God. According to Japanese legend, the god 
who brought about storms at sea. 189. 

Stygian (stij’i-an). Pertaining to the river Styx. 
(See Styx.) 17, 26. 

[ 325 





INDEX—DICTIONARY 


Stymphalis (stim-fa’lis). A lake in Arcadia, a dis- 
trict of ancient Greece. .58: 

Styx (stix). According to Greek mythology, the 
Styx was the chief river of the lower world, which 
it encompassed seven times. [hose who passed 
to the regions of the dead were compelled to cross 
thissrivers sie20. 

Sugriva (s00-gré’va). According to Hindu mythol- 
ogy, the king of the monkey tribe. He sent his 
army to aid Rama in rescuing Queen Sita from 
Ravana; (165% 

Sultan (sul’tan). A ruler of a Mohammedan state. 
180. 

Summer-maker. According to the mythology of the 
American Indians, the spirit that brings summer 
to the earth. 240. 

Suruga (s00-r00’ga). The plain on the Island of 
Hondo from which Mount Fuji Yama rises. 195, 
196, 198. 

Sun God see Apollo. 11. 

Svadifare (svad-é-fa’ra). According to Norse my- 
thology, a giant horse, the sire of Sleipnir. (See 


Sleipnirs) 7777; 73; 


Tai (ta’é). The fish that swallowed the magic fish- 


hook of Prince Fire-Flame. (See Ho-deri.) 192. 
Tantalus (tan’ta-lus). According to Greek mythol- 

ogy, Tantalus, a son of Zeus, was a wicked king 

who was punished in Hades by being placed in a 

lake whose waters reached just to his chin. 

Branches laden with choice fruits swayed forever 
326 | 


_" 





INDEX—DICTIONARY 


just over his head, and whenever he bowed his 
head to drink, the waters about him receded. 25. 

Tara (ta’ra). According to Irish mythology, Tara 
was the region in which lay the kingdom of Conn 
the Hundred-Fighter. 148. 

Tarnhelm (tarn’hélm). A helmet which Mime 
forged for Alberich. It rendered the wearer in- 
misicet( oce Mime, Alberich.) 121, .122, 133; 
ma O37 « 

Tehuantepec (ta-wan’ta-pek). An isthmus which 
separates the Gulf of Mexico from the Pacific 
Ocean 261. 

Temple of Justice. The temple from which Nin- 
ci-gal dispensed justice to the people of earth. 

(See Nin-ci-gal.) 157. 

Thebes (thébz). A city of ancient Greece, capital 
of the district of Boeotia. It is said to have been 
founded by Cadmus, a legendary hero to whom 
was ascribed the renown of having brought the 
alphabet from Phoenicia to the Greeks. 56, 57. 

Thialf (thyal’/fé). The servant and follower of 
Thor. The name is probably the Norse word for 
delver or dtgger.. The fact that Thialh and 
Roskva were both regarded as followers of Thor 
seems to indicate that Thor was regarded as the 
friend of the husbandman and consequently the 
god of agriculture. (See Roskva.) 92, 93, 94; 
97) 99. 

Thor (tor or thor). The son of Odin and Mother 
Earth. He was the god of thunder, the keeper 


[ 327 





INDEX—DtCllONeias 


of the hammer which was the holiest symbol of 
the ancient races of Teutonic Europe. As the 
defender of heaven and earth, Thor was the 
favorite deity of Norse mythology. (See Odin, 
Erda.) . 75, 78,79; 80; 85, 86, 897 seouoomean 
91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 103, 122. 

Thrace (thras). In ancient times the name of a 
region now included within the confines of Mace- 
donia. 58. 

Thrym (thrim). The giant who stole Thor’s ham- 
mer and demanded Freya as a reward for the re- 
turn of it. (See Thor, Freya.) 87, 88) 80. 

Thunder Bay. A bay on the northern shore of Lake 
Superior. It extends into the province of Ontario, 
Canada. 243, 244. . 

Thunderer see Thor. 75, 78, 86, 89, 90, 93. 

Tierra templada (ti-ér’ra témp-la’da) (Spanish, 
land of the temperate weather). A region of 
Mexico, so called because of the temperate cli- 
mate. It lies part way up the mountain sides; its 
coolness is due to its altitude. 263. 

Tisayac (té’sa-yak). According to the legends of 
the American Indians, Tisayac is the spirit of the 
Yosemite allévew 2q6 33a 

Toye-tama (t6-ya-ta’ma). According to Japanese 
legend, Toye-tama was a princess, the daughter 
of Wata-tsu-mi. (See Wata-tsu-mi.) 190, 191, 
192,103: 

Triton (tri’ton). According to Greek mythology, 
Triton was the son of Neptune. He was the 


328 | 


INDEX—DICTIONARY 


trumpeter of ocean, who, by a blast of his horn, 
stirred the waves to fury or quieted them. (See 
Neptune.) 2. 

Trojan king see Laomedon. 60. 

Troy. An ancient city of western Asia Minor, the 
siege and destruction of which forms a large part 
of the story of Homer’s Iliad. 60. 

Turja (tur’ya). Another name for Pohjola. (See 
Pohjola.) 113. 

Tutokanula (t00’td-ka-noo’la) (American Indian, 
measuring worm). Another name for the cliff El 
Mapitan, (sce Ll Capitan.) ° 235. 

Twelve Labors of Hercules. The twelve great 
tasks, or “labors,” imposed by Eurystheus upon 
Hercules as a result of the hatred of Hera (Juno) 
for Hercules. These tasks were: (1) The kill- 
ing of the invulnerable Nemean lion, which he 
strangled; (2) the killing of the Lyrnean hydra; 
(3) the capture of the Erymanthian boar; (4) | 
the capture of the Cerynean hind; (5) the killing 
of the man-eating Stymphalian birds; (6) the 
procuring of the girdle of Hippolyta, queen of 
the Amazons; (7) the cleansing of the stables of 
King Augeas; (8) the capture of the Cretan bull; 
(9) the capture of the man-eating mares of 
Diomedes; (10) the fetching of the red cattle 
of Geryon; (11) the procuring of the golden 
apples of the Hesperides; (12) the bringing of 
Cerberus up from the lower world. 57. 

Twilight of the Gods. According to Norse mythol- 


[ 329 





INDEX—DICTIONARY 


ogy, the final destruction of the world in the great 
conflict between the gods and the giants. (See 
Ragnarok.) 135. 

Tyee (ti’é). A word used by the American Indians 
of the Northwest to designate the ruler of a tribe. 
Nig Me ige OMIe by 210s: 

Tyr (tir). A son of Odin. According to Norse 
mythology, Tyr was the god of battle. The 
Fenris-Wolf bit off one of his arms on a certain 
occasion, but that did not rob him of either valor 
or skill in battle. With Thor he went to borrow 
the kettle from Hymir. (See Fenris-Wolf, Thor, 
Hymir.) 84, 90, 91. 

iiyre (tir): Ane ancient Pheenician city reputed to 
have been founded by the legendary Dido. 
Among the peoples of the ancient world Tyre was 

_renowned as the site of manufacture of the far- 
famed Tyrian dye, a purplish coloring matter 
derived from a mollusk that abounds in the waters 
of that coast. 7, 49. 

Unsa (00n’sa). A royal hill in Tara, site of the 
home of Conn the Hundred-Fighter. (See Tara, 
Conn the Hundred-Fighter.) 147. 

Urdar (00r’dar). According to Norse mythology, 
the Norn which represented the past. (See 
Norn.) 73. 

Utgard (oo0t’gard) None the outer yard). The 
abode of the giant, Utgard-Loki. 96. 

Utgard-Loki (d0t’gard 16’ké). The giant of Utgard 
who was visited by Thor. In order to deceive 

330 | 


INDEX—DICTIONARY 


Thor he called himself Skrymir. (See Skrymir. ) 
96, 97, 99. 

Vainamoinen (wa’i-nam-o-i’nén). The chief hero 
of the Kalevala. He was the son of Ilmater, 
daughter of Air. He is the same as Osmo and 
Kaleva. (See Osmo, Kaleva.) 117. 

Valhalla (val-hal’a). In Norse mythology, the hall 
of the slain. The spirits of those slain in battle 
were brought to Valhalla by order of Odin, and 
there feasted throughout eternity. 73, 74, 92, 
eee t21, 122,126,127, 136, 137, 139. 

Valkyrie (val-kér’i) (Norse, the chooser of the 
slain). One of the armed and warlike virgins, 
daughters of the gods. They were the hand- 
maidens of Odin. ‘They selected the slain heroes 
from the field of battle, and served them at their 
Penacssiuey aWialla,- 74, 126,127, 128, 129,133, 
135, 137. 

Vanar (va’nar). The monkey tribe that helped 
with the rescue of Queen Sita at the time when 
Ravana was compelled to relinquish her to Rama. 
Poke rob, 167. 

Vancouver (van-koo’vér). A large island off the 
coast of British Columbia. 215. 

Venus (vé’nus). The Roman goddess of love and 
beauty, identical with the Greek Aphrodite. A 
popular story of her birth is that she arose from 
mie osnol the sea; 3;-2'1, 22, 27, 29, 32, 32,34, 
R004, 05. 

Vishnu (vish’ndo). The second god of the Hindu 

[ 331 








INDEX—DICTIONARY 


triad. In contrast to Brahma, the creator, and 
Sita, the destroyer, he is called the preserver. 
Among the many incarnations which he experi- 
enced, one was Rama. 158, 166, 167. 

Volsung (vol’soong). According to Teutonic my- 
thology, Volsung was the father of ten sons, one 
of whom was Siegmund. The word Volsung also 
refers to one of the clan founded by Volsung, who 
was none other than Wotan himself. 123, 124, 
126,/129,; 1g Osigtauaaeeaae 

Vulcan (vul’kan). According to Roman mythology, 
Vulcan was the god of the fiery element. He was 
identical with the Greek Hephaestus. In some 
myths he is represented as the husband of Venus 
and the god of metal-working. His forges were 
said to be located within Mount /#Xtna. 9, II. 

Wanderer. A name sometimes given to Wotan. 
(See IV otan.)- 1320;elat ease 

Washington, Mount. The highest peak of the 
White Mountains of New Hampshire. 272. 

Wata-tsu-mi (wa’ta-tsoo’mé). A Japanese god of 
théysea:| i 19O mio roa. 

Wealhtheow (wa’alk-thé’6w). According to the 
Anglo-Saxon epic, Beowulf, in which her queenly 
courtesy is depicted at some length, Wealhtheow 
was the wife of Hrothgar. (See Beowulf, Hroth- 
gar.) 106; T10, 

West Wind see Zephyrus. 47. 

Wiglaf (wig’laf). A faithful follower of Beowulf 
in his struggle with the Fire-Drake. 111, 112. 


332 | 








INDEX—DICTIONARY 





Wind God. The father of Hanuman. (See Hanu- 
man.) 165. 

White Cloud. The name of an Indian maiden, the 
daughter of Chief Eagle Eye, and an important 
character in the story of The Bride of Niagara 
Pavone sO). 250,251. 

White Mountains. A range of mountains in New 
Hampshire. Mount Washington is the highest 
peak of the range. 272. 

Winter-maker. According to the belief of the 
North American Indians, Winter-maker was the 
spirit that brought winter to the earth. 240. 

Woden (wo’dén).. The Anglo-Saxon form of 
Wotan. (See Wotan.) 74. 

World Ash. According to Norse mythology, the 
World Ash, or Yggdrasill, was the great tree 
which supports the universe. It has three roots: 
One in Niflheim, a second in Jotunnheim, and a 
third in Midgard: (See Niflheim, Jotunnheim, 
Midgard.) 135, 136. 

World Under the Sea. According to Japanese 
legend, this was the kingdom of the dragon- 
helmed king and the shell-crowned queen. 195. 

Wotan (wo’tan). A form of Odin. (See Odin.) 
reer! 192 2. 126; 127,128, 129, 130; 134, 
135, 136, 137, 140. 

Yankee. A nickname given to the early New Eng- 
landers. Commonly considered to be a corrupt 
pronunciation of the word English by the Ameri- 
can Indians. 260. 


[ 333 





INDEX—DICTIONARY 











Ymir (€’mér). According to Norse mythology, the 
giant from whose body the gods made the uni- 
Verserged 3 

Ygegdrasill (ig’dra-sil) see World Ash. 73, 85. 

Yong-lo (y6ng’l6). According to legend, an early 
rulérgo: Ching, ge20 ee Ons 

Yo Semite (yo sém’i-ta). More commonly spelied 
Yosemite. A valley in eastern California. 236. 

Zephyrus (zéf’i-rus). According to Greek mythol- 
ogy, the god of the west wind. 30, 31, 47. 


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